Quality of life analyzed by the SF-12 survey in patients with endometriosis

Abstract

Introduction: Endometriosis is a pathology that affects the female population of reproductive age, and is characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue, both structurally and functionally, in external locations of the uterine cavity. It is inflammatory and benign but its consequences affect the quality of life of women who present it. The pharmacist, as an accessible and approachable healthcare professional, plays a fundamental role in the early identification and comprehensive care of women with endometriosis, actively contributing to the improvement of their quality of life. The aim of this study is to analyze the quality of life in a cohort of women attending the gynecology service of the Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca in Murcia and exploring key elements to improve it.

Method: This is a prospective, observational study in which demographic and clinical data were collected from 120 patients and quality of life was analyzed using the SF-12 survey, which includes two dimensions that measure eight concepts of health, both physical function (health that is limited to physical activities), social function (physical and emotional health that affect normal social life), physical role (physical health that interferes with daily and work activities), emotional role (affectation of emotional problems in daily and work life), mental health, vitality (feeling of energy and vitality), bodily pain (intensity of pain) and general health (overall personal assessment of one’s own health).

Results: In a sample of 120 women with endometriosis, the mean age was 39.3 years, with an average diagnostic delay of 13.4 years from the appearance of symptoms. Most presented with advanced stages of the disease (stage 3: 33.1%; stage 4: 44.1%). The largest age group was 36–45 years, reflecting late diagnosis. Older women showed higher weight and greater clinical severity, while the younger group presented more diagnoses in early stages. 64% reported emotional limitations that affected their functionality, and 61.7% reduced physical activities due to their health status. Only 35.5% rated their health as good. Pain interfered with work activity in 28.3%. Significant differences were found in SF-12 items according to age and disease severity. The results highlight the need for early diagnosis and comprehensive care.

Conclusions: Endometriosis severely affects quality of life, with diagnosis frequently delayed and a high prevalence of severe cases. Early detection and comprehensive approach are required to improve clinical and emotional prognosis.