Study Links Early-Stage Endometriosis to Fourfold Increase in Sarcopenia Risk

The researchers highlighted that, based on NHANES data, endometriosis in women around the age of 40 is linked to an increased risk of sarcopenia. They found that having endometriosis for less than five years more than quadrupled the chances of developing sarcopenia (OR 4.38), while women from minority ethnic groups faced an even higher risk (OR 6.00). Interestingly, lower educational levels seemed to offer some protection against sarcopenia (OR 0.42). These findings emphasize the importance of regular metabolic screening for women with endometriosis.

The study, led by Dr. Litao Sun and a team from the Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, China, analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 1999 and 2006. Their findings point to a complex relationship between endometriosis, a chronic gynecological condition, and sarcopenia, a condition marked by the progressive decline in skeletal muscle mass and strength.

The research involved 373 women with an average age of approximately 40 years. Endometriosis status was determined through self-reported data, and sarcopenia was diagnosed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), a gold-standard imaging technique for assessing muscle mass. The team adjusted for a wide range of demographic and lifestyle factors, including age, ethnicity, marital status, education, income level, smoking history, and existing comorbidities.

The study revealed the following findings:

• Women with endometriosis diagnosed for less than five years had over four times the risk of developing sarcopenia compared to those with longer disease duration (OR 4.83).
• Minority ethnic women showed a significantly higher risk of sarcopenia (OR 6.00), highlighting the need for focused metabolic and musculoskeletal evaluation in these groups.
• Lower educational levels were linked to a reduced risk of sarcopenia (OR 0.42), though the reasons for this association are unclear and require further study.

The results were consistent across multiple statistical models, reinforcing the credibility of these associations. Though the analysis is retrospective and relies on self-reported endometriosis diagnoses, the findings highlight the importance of routine screening for muscle health in women with this condition, especially in its early stages.

The research emphasizes that endometriosis is not only a reproductive or pain-related disorder but may also carry broader systemic risks, including muscle degeneration.

"Early metabolic evaluation and preventative strategies could be crucial for improving long-term outcomes in affected women. Future prospective studies will be essential to further explore these associations and develop appropriate interventions," the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Sun, L., Tian, Y., & Ling, L. (2025). The association between shorter disease course and sarcopenia in women with endometriosis: A retrospective analysis of NHANES 1999–2006. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03511-9