Conclusion
The aim of the present study was to gain insight in preferences for a
conservative or surgical treatment approach of patients suffering from
DE. This is the first DCE on treatment preferences from a nationally
representative cohort of patients with deep endometriosis. These
findings make several contributions to the current literature in DE. The
risk of permanent intestinal symptoms (from the treatment) is almost
equally important for patients as the chance of reduction in pain
symptoms. The results of this study can be used in the decision-making
process between doctor and patient, where it is important that symptoms
arising from the endometriosis are treated such as pain reduction and
improvement of fatigue. However, it is also important to pay attention,
when choosing a treatment to consider the short and long term risks. In
which the risk of getting LARS during surgery needs attention, as well
as a long term risk such as osteoporosis when choosing certain
conservative treatment (GnRH analogues). Women with previous surgery
showed less surgical anxiety, this information could help to inform
anxious women without a surgical history, but who need surgery in their
decision process. The current results can be used to assist SDM, e.g. by
developing a decision aid aimed at providing relevant information and
assisting patients in difficult treatment choices in DE care. Further
studies regarding the role of decision making in non-DE would be
worthwhile.