Assessing women’s preferences for treatment of recurrent endometriosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessing women’s preferences for treatment of recurrent endometriosis
IRAS ID
270088
Contact name
Graham Scotland
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Aberdeen
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 17 days
Research summary
Endometriosis is a common gynaecological condition, characterized by symptoms such as pelvic pain, painful periods and subfertility. Studies have found endometriosis to have a significant impact on the quality of a woman’s life. There are two main methods of treatment – either through surgery, including laparoscopic surgery or radical surgery, or through medication, which includes a range of hormonal treatments.
Despite treatment, endometriosis symptoms often recur in most women, making retreatment necessary. At retreatment stage, women once again can choose between surgical or medical treatment. The trade-off that women face is between the risky and expensive surgery, which treats pain and has no effect on fertility, and hormonal medication, which treats pain, but diminishes fertility during the course of treatment.
This study will quantitatively measure the trade-offs women are making using a quantitative survey technique, called a discrete choice experiment (DCE). This follows on from a qualitative study where women recounted their experience with endometriosis treatment, and how they selected a new treatment for recurrent symptoms. The DCE was designed based on the trade-offs women said they faced in these interviews, as well as secondary research. The survey will be presented to up to 5 women to capture any design issues, and then shared online.REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/WM/0286
Date of REC Opinion
23 Sep 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion