Evaluation of the Effect of Dietary Habits on the Health Profile in Women with Endometriosis

Abstract

Objective: Healthy eating habits in women with endometriosis play a role in the treatment and improvement of quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and polyphenol intake on health profile in endometriosis. Methods: The study was conducted with 34 endometriosis patients admitted to Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic of University of Helath Sciences T & uuml;rkiye, & Idot;stanbul Kanuni Sultan S & uuml;leyman Training and Research Hospital. Demographic characteristics and food consumption were recorded, the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 scores were calculated, and the polyphenol consumption questionnaire, the 14-item MD Adherence Scale (MEDAS), and the Endometriosis Health Profile-30 (EHP-30) were applied. Results: The mean body mass index of the participants was 22.92 +/- 2.94 kg/m2, total polyphenol intake was 657.70 +/- 304.56 mg/day, and MEDAS, HEI-2015, and EHP-30 scores were 7.85 +/- 2.26, 61.71 +/- 18.51, and 41.25 +/- 20.77, respectively. 26.5% of participants had low; 44.1% had medium; 29.4% had high adherence to the MD; and 44.1% had low HEI-2015 scores. While no relationship was found between the MEDAS score and EHP-30 total and subscale scores, an inverse relationship was found between the HEI-2015 score and EHP-30 pain subscale score (r=-0.34, p=0.04). Conclusion: Despite the role of nutrition in endometriosis, the adherence of the participants to the MD and their HEI-2015 scores were found to be low. It is predicted that a multidisciplinary treatment approach for endometriosis with the implementation of the MD and the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits will improve symptom management and quality of life.