Psychosocial correlates of symptoms of depression among patients with endometriosis in the United Kingdom.

A recent study found high levels (43%) of moderate to severe symptoms of depression among patients diagnosed with endometriosis in South Africa (SA) and identified several psychosocial predictors of these symptoms of depression. However, there is limited research on predictors of symptoms of depression in other settings. Considering the contextual differences between SA and the United Kingdom (UK) and their vastly different healthcare settings, we conducted a replication study in the UK and improved on the methodology by adding an established measure of sexual dysfunction to the model and obtaining a larger sample. The study comprised of a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data collected among patients with endometriosis. Study particulars were advertised by a national endometriosis association and data were collected online using Qualtrics. The sample consisted of 598 adults with self-reported endometriosis who completed measures assessing symptoms of depression, physical functioning, menstrual characteristics, sexual functioning, feelings about the medical profession, feelings about infertility, and sexual relationships. Seventy-one percent of participants reported moderate to severe levels of symptoms of depression. In addition, physical functioning, concerns about menstrual characteristics, sexual dysfunction, feelings about infertility and feelings about the medical profession were identified as significant predictors of symptoms of depression. It is important that healthcare professionals recognize that patients with endometriosis may be at risk of depression and that psychological referral should be considered.