The predictive diagnostic value of combined serum detection of CXCL12, VEGF, and CA125 for endometriosis

This study aims to explore the application value of stromal cell-derived factor (CXCL12), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) in the diagnosis, staging, and clinical manifestations of endometriosis (EMs). A total of 90 patients with EMs (observational group) and 98 with benign ovarian cysts (control group) were enrolled. Comparisons of serum levels of CXCL12, VEGF, and CA125 were made between the 2 groups. Correlations of indicators with visual analog scale score and stages were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted to evaluate the diagnostic value of each indicator in the individual and combined detection of EMs. Serum CXCL12, VEGF, and CA125 were significantly higher in the observational group than in the control group (P < .001). For rASRM stage: IV versus III CXCL12 showed no difference (P = .398), but VEGF and CA125 were elevated (P < .001); III versus I-II, all 3 indicators were elevated (P < .001). For visual analog scale score: severe versus moderate dysmenorrhea, CXCL12 showed no difference (P = .405), but VEGF and CA125 were elevated (P < .001); moderate versus mild dysmenorrhea, all 3 indicators were elevated (P < .001). Combined detection of the 3 indicators yielded higher sensitivity and specificity (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.8823[0.8272, 0.9334]; sensitivity: 84.44%, specificity: 85.71%) than CXCL12 (AUC: 0.8044 [0.7417, 0.863]; sensitivity: 75.56%, specificity: 77.55%), VEGF (AUC: 0.7224 [0.6412, 0.793]; sensitivity: 79.08%, specificity: 52.04%) and CA125 (AUC: 0.6260 [0.5471, 0.6998]; sensitivity: 54.44%, specificity: 68.37%) individually. Serum CXCL12, VEGF, and CA125 levels in EMs patients were significantly different from those in the control group and were correlated with the clinical stage and severity of dysmenorrhea. Compared with individual detection, combined detection has greater clinical value in the diagnosis of EMs.