(P13-007-25) A Survey Examining the Association Between Perceived Pain and Mediterranean Diet Eating Pattern in Individuals With Endometriosis

Objectives: Endometriosis (ENDO), a condition characterized by chronic pain that affects approximately 10% of reproductive-aged individuals assigned female at birth, is linked to systemic inflammation. A Mediterranean Diet pattern may help mitigate pain associated with inflammation through its anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to characterize perceived pain and dietary patterns in individuals with endometriosis and examine the association between a Mediterranean Diet (MD) and perceived pain.

Methods: 259 individuals with ENDO between the ages 18 and 40 years living in the United States (Age: 29.7 ± 6.0 yrs; age of diagnosis: 26.0 ± 1.7 yrs; 73% White identity; 85.7% Woman identity) completed an online questionnaire to characterize gynecological history and ENDO-associated pain. The valid 14-item modified Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener was used to estimate MD adherence as strict accordance (≥ 9 items), modest accordance (≥ 7 items), or low accordance ( < 7 items). Participants were stratified as adherent to MD (strict + modest accordance) or non-adherent to MD (low accordance). Data are reported as descriptive statistics and proportions; Pearson’s chi-squared analyses were used to examine the relationships between pain and MD adherence.

Results: Almost all (95.4%) participants reported pain associated with ENDO. A medical diagnosis of ENDO (82.6%) was the most common reason for pain. Pain was most prevalent in the low back (87.3%) followed by bowel movements (81.5%) and ovulation (81.1%). Most participants reported intakes with low accordance to MD (62.9%) followed by modest accordance (37.1%) and strict accordance (8.5%). In those adhering to the MD, they reported significantly less pain described as overwhelming, violent, or intense (21.9%) compared to non-adherent individuals (36.2%; p = 0.016). There were no differences in the location of pain between those who were adherent to MD compared to those who were non-adherent.

Conclusions: Perceived pain in individuals with ENDO is high with unique physical manifestations. A MD may influence pain severity. As most individuals did not self-select to follow the MD, trials examining the benefits of anti-inflammatory diets on ENDO symptoms are warranted.

Funding Sources: N/A