BACKGROUND: The relationship between serum levels of carotenoids and endometriosis remains largely unknown. The aim of this study is to assess the association between serum levels of major carotenoids ( METHODS: The data were obtained from the 2001-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), which included a total of 3,636 women aged 20 to 54. Serum levels of RESULTS: Weighted multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that, after adjusting for all covariates taken into account, there was a significant association between serum lutein/zeaxanthin levels and reduced risk of endometriosis (Quartile 3 vs. Quartile 1: odds ratio [OR] = 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.42-0.90
Quartile 4 vs. Quartile 1: OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.36-0.81, CONCLUSION: Serum lutein/zeaxanthin levels may offer protective effects against endometriosis in specific subpopulations. Further prospective research is necessary to validate these findings.