ASSESSMENT OF DIETARY HABITS AMONG WOMEN DIAGNOSED WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS
Author(s)
Vivien Schubert, BSc1, Réka Vajda, MSc, PhD2, Imre Boncz, MSc, PhD, MD2, Patricia Szántóri, MSc3.
1Lumniczer Sándor Hospital, Kapuvár, Kapuvár, Hungary, 2Institute for Health Insurance, University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 3Institute of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary.
1Lumniczer Sándor Hospital, Kapuvár, Kapuvár, Hungary, 2Institute for Health Insurance, University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 3Institute of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary.
OBJECTIVES: Endometriosis is a chronic gynecologic disease which currently has no cure and affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age worldwide. We aim to assess the impact of different diets, foods, and dietary supplements on the symptoms and progression of the disease.
METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous online questionnaire completed by 162 women with endometriosis. The survey included self-developed questions and validated instruments (EQ-5D-3L and FFQ). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, χ² tests, correlation and logistic regression, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.
RESULTS: Following diagnosis, the prevalence of dairy-free, added-sugar-free, red-meat-free and gluten-free diets increased substantially, and 107 participants reported following or having tried at least two different diets. Gastrointestinal symptoms were reported by 54.9% of participants, while bowel involvement was associated with a higher occurrence of constipation (p=0.022). Overall, 46.3% of the total sample reported symptom improvement following dietary modification. However, no significant differences in quality of life or selected symptoms were found between participants following and not following gluten-free, dairy-free or added-sugar-free diets. The number of symptoms showed only a weak positive correlation with the number of diets tried (r=0.158, p=0.044). Most participants had not consulted a dietitian after diagnosis (78.4%), whereas 80.2% obtained nutrition-related information from the internet. BMI had shown a similar increase in the symptom score of rectal bleeding (p=0.018, r=0.186), and painful urination (p=0.004, r=0.223).
CONCLUSIONS: Women with endometriosis frequently adopt multiple restrictive diets in an attempt to alleviate their symptoms, often without professional dietary guidance. Although subjective improvement was commonly reported, no consistent benefit of specific exclusion diets was observed. These findings emphasize the importance of individualized dietetic support and well-designed prospective studies to determine which dietary interventions may provide clinically meaningful benefits.
METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous online questionnaire completed by 162 women with endometriosis. The survey included self-developed questions and validated instruments (EQ-5D-3L and FFQ). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, χ² tests, correlation and logistic regression, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.
RESULTS: Following diagnosis, the prevalence of dairy-free, added-sugar-free, red-meat-free and gluten-free diets increased substantially, and 107 participants reported following or having tried at least two different diets. Gastrointestinal symptoms were reported by 54.9% of participants, while bowel involvement was associated with a higher occurrence of constipation (p=0.022). Overall, 46.3% of the total sample reported symptom improvement following dietary modification. However, no significant differences in quality of life or selected symptoms were found between participants following and not following gluten-free, dairy-free or added-sugar-free diets. The number of symptoms showed only a weak positive correlation with the number of diets tried (r=0.158, p=0.044). Most participants had not consulted a dietitian after diagnosis (78.4%), whereas 80.2% obtained nutrition-related information from the internet. BMI had shown a similar increase in the symptom score of rectal bleeding (p=0.018, r=0.186), and painful urination (p=0.004, r=0.223).
CONCLUSIONS: Women with endometriosis frequently adopt multiple restrictive diets in an attempt to alleviate their symptoms, often without professional dietary guidance. Although subjective improvement was commonly reported, no consistent benefit of specific exclusion diets was observed. These findings emphasize the importance of individualized dietetic support and well-designed prospective studies to determine which dietary interventions may provide clinically meaningful benefits.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
EPH141
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
Reproductive & Sexual Health