Diagnostic value of the combination of circulating serum miRNAs and CA125 in endometriosis

Abstract

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) can serve as noninvasive biomarkers for endometriosis, but their diagnostic and prognostic values require investigation. This study evaluated the potential of 6 miRNAs in diagnosing endometriosis and predicting fertility. The study included patients with endometriosis (stages I-IV) and controls admitted to Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital between May 2013 and March 2014. The serum expression levels of 6 miRNAs (miR-199a, miR-145∗, miR-122, miR-9∗, miR-141∗, and miR-542-3p) were determined using qRT-PCR. Receiver operating characteristics curves were used to determine the diagnostic accuracy. The study included 155 patients with endometriosis and 77 controls. The model combining miR-199a, miR-122, miR-145∗, and miR-141∗ with the carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) exhibited 81.8% sensitivity and 92.6% specificity and an area under the curve of 0.939 for diagnosing endometriosis. When combining miR-199a, miR-122, miR-145∗, miR-542-3p, and CA125, the receiver operating characteristics curve showed an area under the curve of 0.759 and 79.6% sensitivity and 73.5% specificity for stage I/II versus III/IV endometriosis. Circulating miRNA levels were associated with pelvic adhesions (miR-199a, P