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Meta-Analysis
. 2024 Nov;31(11):3247-3256.
doi: 10.1007/s43032-024-01707-4. Epub 2024 Sep 27.

Susceptibility to Infection and Impact of COVID-19 Vaccines on Symptoms of Women with Endometriosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Available Evidence

Gaetano Riemma  1 , Andrea Etrusco  2   3 , Antonio Simone Laganà  2   3 , Marco Torella  4 , Maria Giovanna Vastarella  4 , Luigi Della Corte  5 , Antonio D'Amato  6 , Marco La Verde  4 , Pasquale De Franciscis  4 , Luigi Cobellis  4
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Susceptibility to Infection and Impact of COVID-19 Vaccines on Symptoms of Women with Endometriosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Available Evidence

Gaetano Riemma et al. Reprod Sci. 2024 Nov.

Abstract

Women with endometriosis were deemed more prone to COVID-19 infection in some reports. Considering that endometriosis-related aberrant immune response, understanding how COVID-19 vaccination influences its clinical status is crucial. The aim of this meta-analysis was the evaluate the susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and modifications of symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination in women with endometriosis. Electronic searches on EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane at CENTRAL, Scielo.br, LILACS and other databases were searched from inception to March 2024. Studies were eligible if they analyzed the incidence of infection in endometriosis women or the changes in symptoms after two doses of COVID-19 vaccine and had a control group. Four studies (2249 women) were included. No increased susceptibility to COVID-19 infection due to presence or absence of endometriosis was retrievable (risk ratio (RR) 1.42 [95% CI 0.88 to 2.27]; I2 = 33%). Patients with endometriosis did not experience an overall worsening of symptomatology relative to controls (RR 1.58 [95% CI 0.67 to 3.75]; I2 = 94%). An increase in the risk of dysmenorrhea worsening was noted (RR 1.88 [95% CI 1.11 to 3.17]; I2 = 63%). No other differences regarding menstrual flow (RR 1.25 [95% CI 0.70 to 2.23]; I2 = 78%), intermenstrual bleeding (RR 1.14 [95% CI 0.83 to 1.56]; I2 = 39%) and pelvic pain (RR 2.55 [95% CI 0.65 to 10.05]; I2 = 80%) compared to controls was retrievable. Therefore, mRNA vaccines do not seem to lead to worsening of symptomatology in endometriotic women. However, a slight temporary increase in dysmenorrhea may be present. Moreover, endometriosis does not seem to increase the risk of contracting COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; Dysmenorrhea; Endometriosis; Pelvic pain; SARS-CoV-2; Susceptibility; Symptoms; Vaccination.

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Conflict of interest statement

All the authors have no conflicts of interest or financial conflicts to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA Flow-diagram of studies included in systematic review and meta-analysis
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot for susceptibility to COVID-19 infection in endometriosis women vs. controls
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Forest plot for (a) any worsening of endometriosis-related symptoms; (b) worsening of dysmenorrhea in endometriosis women vs. controls; (c) worsening of menstrual bleeding; (d) for increased intermenstrual bleeding; (e) increased chronic pelvic pain in endometriosis women vs. controls
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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