Abstract
Background: Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting at least 1 in 9 females globally. It is characterized by a fluctuating constellation of physical symptoms centred around chronic pelvic pain, with fatigue and psychological distress commonly comorbid. Difficulties and impairments in cognitive functioning have been documented in other pain-related conditions, yet investigations of these difficulties in endometriosis are lacking.
Purpose: This mixed-methods study aimed to identify the prevalence of perceived cognitive functioning difficulties in individuals living with endometriosis and to investigate the association of pain, fatigue and depressive symptoms with cognitive functioning.
Method: Participants (N = 1239) self-reporting a prior endometriosis diagnosis were recruited from an Australian online endometriosis community. Perceived cognitive functioning (Cognitive impairment, Cognitive abilities, Comments from others, Quality of life; FACT-Cog), pain, fatigue, and depressive symptoms were assessed quantitatively via an online survey. An open-ended question in the survey explored perceived cognitive difficulties qualitatively.
Results: Mean scores indicated most participants experienced significant cognitive functioning difficulties on all FACT-Cog domains and high levels of pain, fatigue and depressive symptoms. Linear regression analyses indicated increased pain, fatigue and depressive symptoms were associated with diminished perceived cognitive functioning. Qualitatively, six themes echoed perceived negative impacts of pain, fatigue, depression and treatments on cognitive functioning and the nature and functional impacts of these cognitive difficulties.
Conclusions: Perceived cognitive difficulties were commonly experienced. The strong association between pain, fatigue and depressive symptoms and poorer cognitive functioning suggests a need for future research to clarify the directionality of these relationships and to develop targeted interventions.
Purpose: This mixed-methods study aimed to identify the prevalence of perceived cognitive functioning difficulties in individuals living with endometriosis and to investigate the association of pain, fatigue and depressive symptoms with cognitive functioning.
Method: Participants (N = 1239) self-reporting a prior endometriosis diagnosis were recruited from an Australian online endometriosis community. Perceived cognitive functioning (Cognitive impairment, Cognitive abilities, Comments from others, Quality of life; FACT-Cog), pain, fatigue, and depressive symptoms were assessed quantitatively via an online survey. An open-ended question in the survey explored perceived cognitive difficulties qualitatively.
Results: Mean scores indicated most participants experienced significant cognitive functioning difficulties on all FACT-Cog domains and high levels of pain, fatigue and depressive symptoms. Linear regression analyses indicated increased pain, fatigue and depressive symptoms were associated with diminished perceived cognitive functioning. Qualitatively, six themes echoed perceived negative impacts of pain, fatigue, depression and treatments on cognitive functioning and the nature and functional impacts of these cognitive difficulties.
Conclusions: Perceived cognitive difficulties were commonly experienced. The strong association between pain, fatigue and depressive symptoms and poorer cognitive functioning suggests a need for future research to clarify the directionality of these relationships and to develop targeted interventions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 101 |
| Pages (from-to) | S27 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | International Journal of Behavioral Medicine |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | S1 |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2023 |
| Event | International Congress of Behavioral Medicine (17th : 2023) - Vancouver, Canada Duration: 23 Aug 2023 → 26 Aug 2023 |