Brain Derived Neurotrophin Factor (BDNF) as a clinical marker of endometriosis

Abstract

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic, multifactorial disease of unknown etiology that affects approximately 10% of all women of childbearing age. It is characterized by dysmenorrhea and chronic pelvic pain, often associated with other symptoms (dyspareunia, dyschezia, rectal bleeding, dysuria, among others) and in 30-40% of cases it is associated with infertility. The presence of pelvic pain is related to the process of neuroangiogenesis, with the presence of BDNF being a key piece in its development. Several recent studies have shown that BDNF levels are elevated in the serum of patients with endometriosis compared to patients without endometriosis. The objective of this study is to demonstrate if BDNF levels are higher in patients with endometriosis and if there is am correlation with the level of pain. Material and methods: The study included 59 patients diagnosed with ovarian endometriosis in the Gynecology service of the Garcia Orcoyen Hospital during the period from November 2021 to August 2022. A blood sample was taken before surgery and their BDNF blood levels were determined. The levels of BDNF were analyzed compared to the control group in 10 patients undergoing laparoscopic tubal ligation to establish if the levels were higher in the endometriosis group and if there was a correlation with the intensity of pain.