Research

Our Research

The Endometriosis & Chronic Pelvic Pain (E&CPP) Program is dedicated to understanding the mechanisms and management of CPP in support of patient's pelvic health and pain treatment. Locally led projects and collaborations at national and international levels will advance efforts to support people who live with CPP and improve interprofessional healthcare to meet the needs of the people we serve.

Research performed at the E&CPP Program will allow us to modify care for patients who suffer from E&CPP and lead to health system changes to improve patient outcomes. We are hopeful results will demonstrate ways to reduce the use of unnecessary healthcare resources (such as emergency department visits for pain that cannot be treated in an emergency setting); implement practices that best meet patients' needs in timely ways while in parallel de-implementing practices showing to be ineffective, inefficient, or unsafe. The research program is lead by clinical research scientist Dr. Fatemeh Baghbani-Naghadehi and medical co-leads Dr. Allana Munro and Dr. Elizabeth Randle.

Research Priorities

Identifying characteristics of endometriosis patients and assessing the impact of interventions on their symptoms and quality of life.
Identifying and characterizing early symptoms of endometriosis to promote earlier diagnosis and access to treatment.
Identifying predictors of CPP and sexual pain and characterizing patients with endometriosis and central sensitization.

Data Registry

The Data Registry for Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain (DREPP) is a prospective database of E&CPP clinic patients. The data registry collects longitudinal information reflecting patient history, demographics, psycho-social factors, symptoms, pain severity and quality of life. With the goal of understanding the mechanisms and management of CPP, this data registry will identify factors that have a substantial association with CPP at a baseline and at specific time intervals and will facilitate ongoing research. This data registry is used by our physicians and clinic team members to learn more about our patients and provide the most appropriate resources and care necessary. When appropriate, researchers may seek approval to access data from the registry.

We plan to use our prospective database in combination with other provincial data registries to build a robust dataset aimed at answering clinical questions about endometriosis and CPP.

Research Projects

Determining the Need for an Interdisciplinary Approach to Managing Chronic Pelvic Pain

This study performed chart reviews of local patients with codes for endometriosis and pelvic pain to determine the number of patient visits and wait times. This study documented long wait times and multiple trips to emergency departments during wait times that did not lead to treatment. Knowledge from this project informed our interdisciplinary clinic design and implementation at IWK Health in October 2021.

Feasibility of the Data Registry for Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain

This project aims to establish an ongoing prospective research cohort of patients in the E&CPP Program as part of the clinical practice. The goal of the current study is to pilot the database in a small cohort of patients to determine feasibility. We will ask patients to provide feedback on the burden of work to complete the surveys, the timing and frequency of survey distribution, and survey relevance.

IWK Centre for Research and Innovation

As recipients of an IWK Phase 1 - Centre Development Grant, the E&CPP Program is applying for institutional approval as a Centre for Research & Innovation at IWK Health.

Researchers interested in studying endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain or learning about our research projects can find more information here.