The IMMENSE study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
IMMENSE study: Developing a better understanding of menstruation in those with endometriosis.
IRAS ID
344815
Contact name
Rebecca J Ainslie
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition that affects 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth. Endometriosis occurs when cells similar to those lining the womb grow outside the uterus, particularly in the peritoneal cavity, forming 'lesions'. Endometriosis is a complex condition and there is an unmet need for effective medical treatments which is partly due to the uncertainty of the causes of endometriosis.
The most widely accepted cause of endometriosis is retrograde menstruation which is when some of the endometrium (womb lining) flows backwards, out through the fallopian tube and into the abdomen during a period. However, there is limited information on how menstruation is regulated in women with endometriosis and further research is required to better understand the processes that may drive abnormal menstruation. It is known that immune cells, the white blood cells that protect the body from infection, are important regulators of menstruation and that the function of these cells is dysregulated in endometriosis. However, it is not known what immune cells are present in the endometrium during menstruation and how these cells may influence lesion formation in endometriosis which is what this study sets out to investigate.
This study sets out to collect data and biological samples to better understand the regulation of menstruation in endometriosis with the hope of identifying new targets for endometriosis treatment. This study will be carried out in NHS Lothian. This study aims to recruit women diagnosed with and without endometriosis. Participation in this study will involve up to a maximum of 5 hospital visits where peripheral blood samples, menstrual blood samples and endometrial pipelle biopsies (small sample of tissue from the lining of the womb (endometrium)) will be collected across the menstrual cycle. Participants will also be asked to fill out study questionnaires.
REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0737
Date of REC Opinion
11 Oct 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion