Lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with ovarian endometrioma and healthy women - pilot study

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent, inflammatory, systemic, and chronic disease, characterized by the presence of ectopically deposited endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity. The aim of our study was to compare basic anamnestic and laboratory data with a more detailed focus on lymphocyte subpopulations in women with ovarian endometrioma in comparison with healthy controls. The study group consisted of 20 women, 10 patients with endometriosis, and 10 healthy women. Basic anamnestic informati-on was obtained from each woman -age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), age of menarche, length of the menstrual cycle, and length of menstrual bleeding. The detailed representation of lymphocyte subpopula-tions (B-lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes -T-H-lymphocytes, TC-lymphocytes, double negative T-lymphocytes, and NK cells) were evaluated from laboratory parameters. Women with ovarian endometrioma reported a more extended period of menstrual bleeding and a significantly lower number of T-H-lymphocytes and activated T-lymphocytes compared to the control group.Immune cells play with the highest probability an important role in the pathophysiology of endometriosis, but their specific role is still unknown. To reveal the role, we need detailed research on the cells.