Which Condition Is Caused By A Deficiency Of The Enzyme Lactase?

Which Condition Is Caused By A Deficiency Of The Enzyme Lactase?

Two common conditions affecting women during their childbearing years, endometriosis and uterine fibroids, may significantly raise the risk of serious illness and early death, according to a large study. Drawing on nearly 111,000 participants and over three decades of follow-up, researchers found a strong link between these conditions and an increased likelihood of premature death, particularly from cancer.

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the womb, while fibroids are noncancerous tumors that develop in or around the uterus. Both conditions have been previously associated with chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and certain cancers. This study focused on how they might affect a woman’s risk of dying before age 70.

The research, published in the BMJ, analyzed data from a long-term study initiated in 1989. Participants, aged 25 to 42 at the start, reported confirmed diagnoses of endometriosis or fibroids every two years beginning in 1993. None had a history of hysterectomy, cancer, or heart disease at the start of the study. Over 30 years, 4,356 participants died prematurely, including 1,459 from cancer and 304 from heart disease.

Findings revealed that women with endometriosis faced a 31% higher risk of early death, with cancers of the reproductive system being the most frequent cause. While fibroids were not linked to overall premature death, they were associated with a higher risk of death from gynecological cancers. These associations persisted even after adjusting for factors such as age, ethnicity, reproductive history, hormone use, lifestyle, and health habits like diet and tobacco use.

The researchers emphasized that the study participants were predominantly white health care professionals, so the results may not generalize to all populations. Additionally, other unmeasured factors might contribute to the observed risks. While the findings do not confirm a direct cause-and-effect relationship, they suggest that women with a history of endometriosis or fibroids may have an elevated risk of early death, even beyond their reproductive years. The conditions were particularly associated with an increased risk of mortality from gynecological cancers and, in the case of endometriosis, non-cancer-related deaths as well.