TY - JOUR
T1 - Perceived cognitive functioning difficulties in individuals living with endometriosis
AU - Horn, Mary
AU - Sherman, Kerry A.
AU - Pehlivan, Melissa J.
AU - Basson, Michelle
AU - Lin, Zixin
AU - Duckworth, Tanya J.
PY - 2025/4/24
Y1 - 2025/4/24
N2 - Difficulties in cognitive functioning (e.g., memory, attention) are common in chronic conditions characterized by physical pain, fatigue and depression. Yet investigations in endometriosis are lacking. We aimed to assess: (1) perceived cognitive functioning, (2) the association of cognitive functioning with fatigue, pain and depressive symptoms, and (3) whether endometriosis treatments moderated these relationships. Participants (n = 1239) with diagnosed endometriosis completed an online survey assessing perceived cognitive functioning [Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog)], pain, fatigue and depression. FACT-Cog scores indicated cognitive impairments in 80% of participants. Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that greater pain, fatigue, and depressive symptoms were associated with poorer perceived cognitive functioning. Moderation analyses indicated that taking hormonal treatments or pain medications diminished the adverse effects of depression, but exacerbated the adverse effects of pain, on cognitive functioning. The extensive perceived cognitive difficulties evident in this sample suggests that supportive interventions to enhance cognitive functioning may be warranted.
AB - Difficulties in cognitive functioning (e.g., memory, attention) are common in chronic conditions characterized by physical pain, fatigue and depression. Yet investigations in endometriosis are lacking. We aimed to assess: (1) perceived cognitive functioning, (2) the association of cognitive functioning with fatigue, pain and depressive symptoms, and (3) whether endometriosis treatments moderated these relationships. Participants (n = 1239) with diagnosed endometriosis completed an online survey assessing perceived cognitive functioning [Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog)], pain, fatigue and depression. FACT-Cog scores indicated cognitive impairments in 80% of participants. Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that greater pain, fatigue, and depressive symptoms were associated with poorer perceived cognitive functioning. Moderation analyses indicated that taking hormonal treatments or pain medications diminished the adverse effects of depression, but exacerbated the adverse effects of pain, on cognitive functioning. The extensive perceived cognitive difficulties evident in this sample suggests that supportive interventions to enhance cognitive functioning may be warranted.
KW - cognitive functioning
KW - cognitive impairment
KW - depression
KW - endometriosis
KW - fatigue
KW - pain
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105004046935&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/13591053251331826
DO - 10.1177/13591053251331826
M3 - Article
C2 - 40270357
SN - 1359-1053
JO - Journal of Health Psychology
JF - Journal of Health Psychology
ER -