Virginia Research Day 2025

Medical Student Research Clinical

37 Exploring the Role of Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels in Endometriosis: Insights from a Retrospective Cohort Study

Maryam Zahid, OMS-II; Kaitlyn McGinley, OMS-II; Erin Onken, OMS-II; Cara Satoskar, OMS-II; Elizabeth Yi, OMS-II; Anita Register, DO; Ramzi Badra, OMS-II; Leona Jafari, OMS-II Corresponding author: mzahid@vcom.edu

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus

ovary syndrome (PCOS), chronic inflammatory diseases, metabolic disorders, a history of lipid lowering medications, or those who recently underwent significant cardiovascular or gynecological surgeries were excluded from the study. We identified 16,121 participants aged 18-44, assigned female at birth, with available total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL measurements. This left a cohort of 340 individuals (cholesterol) and 370 patients (TG) with endometriosis, which was then balanced with an equal number of controls without an endometriosis diagnosis, matched on age. Statistical comparisons of cholesterol and TG metrics between the endometriosis and control groups were performed using independent t-tests, with subgroup analyses by demographic characteristics. Results: Initial analysis indicated that mean cholesterol levels varied slightly between the endometriosis group and controls. However, statistical significance was not achieved (p = 0.061). The limited difference suggests that while cholesterol levels may correlate with inflammatory conditions, they might

not be strong predictors for endometriosis alone. Subgroup analysis showed minor cholesterol level variations across racial groups, though these were not clinically significant. For the TG group, statistical significance was not achieved (p = 0.056). There is insufficient evidence in this study to prove that higher triglyceride levels are associated with a diagnosis of endometriosis. Conclusions: While this study highlights the potential relationship between cholesterol and TG levels and endometriosis, the lack of significant findings underscores the need for further research with a larger sample size and more specific biomarkers. Identifying metabolic markers associated with endometriosis may enable improved screening and preventative strategies for at-risk populations. Future studies should consider incorporating comprehensive metabolic profiles and exploring other indicators of dysregulated lipid metabolism in endometriosis pathogenesis.

Introduction: Endometriosis is a prevalent gynecological disorder affecting nearly 10% of women in their reproductive years. Characterized by the presence of tissue resembling the uterine lining outside the uterus, this condition often results in chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and significant impacts on quality of life. While the underlying causes remain complex and are still under investigation, genetic, hormonal, and immune factors are thought to play key roles. Recent studies have suggested that lipid metabolism, particularly cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels, may influence endometriosis development. This retrospective cohort study investigates the relationship between cholesterol, TG levels, and endometriosis, utilizing data from the All of Us Research Database to explore whether lipid profiles could serve as potential indicators of endometriosis risk. Methods: Data was extracted from the All of Us Research Database to analyze cholesterol and TG levels in individuals with and without an endometriosis diagnosis. Participants with polycystic

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