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. 2023 Oct 24;38(12):2433–2446. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dead214

Table 3.

Difference in reported VAS scores for endometriosis-related symptoms between the dietary interventions and control group, compared longitudinally over the follow-up period of 6 months.

Intervention (FODMAP1 or endometriosis diet) n = 43
 Control n = 19
Symptoms associated with endometriosis Baseline VAS2 score (median, IQR) Three-month VAS score (median, IQR) Six-month VAS score (median, IQR) Baseline VAS score (median, IQR) Three-month VAS score (median, IQR) Six-month VAS score (median, IQR) Mean difference3 (95% CI) P-value
Dysmenorrhea 5.0 (8.0) 3.28 (3.53) 3.0 (6.0) 4.0 (7.0) 5.0 (7.0) 4.0 (7.0)

  • −0.36 (−1.45 to 0.73)

  • 0.515

Deep dyspareunia 4.0 (5.0) 2.41 (2.48) 1.0 (4.0) 3.5 (6.0) 4.0 (5.0) 1.0 (6.0)

  • −0.83 (−1.74 to 0.08)

  • 0.075

Chronic Pelvic Pain 2.0 (6.0) 2.34 (2.54) 3.0 (6.0) 2.5 (6.0) 1.0 (5.0) 2.0 (4.0)

  • −0.014 (−0.94 to 0.91)

  • 0.976

Dysuria 1.0 (4.0) 0.85 (1.81) 0.0 (1.0) 0.0 (3.0) 1.0 (1.0) 0.0 (1.0)

  • 0.05 (−0.58 to 0.67)

  • 0.880

Bloating 8.0 (3.5) 3.39 (2.70) 3.0 (4.0) 6.0 (4.0) 6.0 (4.0) 5.0 (5.0)

  • −0.84 (−1.68 to −0.004)

  • 0.049

Tiredness 7.0 (4.0) 4.79 (2.58) 5.0 (3.0) 7.0 (2.8) 6.0 (5.0) 6.0 (6.0)

  • −0.04 (−0.88 to 0.80)

  • 0.924

Low-FODMAP diet
 Endometriosis diet
n = 22
 n = 21
Symptoms associated with endometriosis Baseline VAS score (median, IQR) Three-month VAS score (median, IQR) Six-month VAS score (median, IQR) Mean difference4 (95% CI) P-value Baseline VAS score (median, IQR) Three-month VAS score (median, IQR) Six-month VAS score (median, IQR) Mean difference4 (95% CI) P-value
Dysmenorrhea 4.0 (7.0) 1.0 (7.0) 2.0 (4.0)

  • −1.08 (−2.31 to 0.16)

  • 0.087

6.0 (7.0) 5.0 (8.0) 3.5 (7.0) 0.32 (−0.90 to 1.54) 0.606
Deep dyspareunia 4.5 (6.0) 1.5 (3.0) 0.0 (4.0)

  • −1.15 (−2.2 to −0.10)

  • 0.032

4.0 (6.0) 2.0 (6.0) 2.0 (5.0) −0.55 (−1.58 to 0.49) 0.298
Chronic pelvic pain 2.0 (6.0) 1.0 (4.0) 4.0 (6.0)

  • −0.11 (−1.17 to 0.96)

  • 0.845

3.0 (6.0) 2.0 (5.0) 2.5 (5.0) 0.07 (−0.98 to 1.12) 0.894
Dysuria 1.0 (3.0) 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 (0.0)

  • −0.19 (−0.90 to 0.53)

  • 0.607

1.0 (4.5) 0.0 (3.0) 0.0 (1.0) 0.26 (−0.44 to 0.97) 0.464
Bloating 8.0 (3.8) 3.0 (4.25) 3.0 (4.5)

  • −0.69 (−1.66 to 0.27)

  • 0.159

7.0 (3.5) 2.0 (4.0) 2.0 (3.0) −0.99 (−1.94 to −0.039) 0.041
Tiredness 7.0 (4.0) 5.0 (5.0) 5.0 (5.0)

  • 0.07 (−0.90 to 1.04)

  • 0.884

7.0 (5.0) 5.0 (4.0) 3.5 (2.8) −0.15 (−1.10 to 0.81) 0.761

Mean differences with interquartile ranges (IQR) were calculated using mixed models.

Bold values indicate P-values.

1

FODMAP: fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides, and polyols.

2

VAS: visual analogue scale (scale 0–10 cm).

3

Difference calculated between baseline, 12- and 24-week follow-up, between the two dietary interventions and control group.

4

Difference calculated between baseline, 12- and 24-week follow-up. Difference calculated between the Low FODMAP diet and control group, and between endometriosis diet and control group.