Collaboration in endometriosis treatment and research going global: New International Endometriosis Society to debut in June.

An exclusive OBGYN.net interview with Dr. Rodolphe Maheux, Professor and Chairman, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada and Dr. Jacques Donnez, Chairman, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, on the need for -- and mission of -- the International Endometriosis Society.

By Joel R. Cooper
writer/reporter, OBGYN.net

OBGYN.net: When will the new International Endometriosis Society (IES) be launched?

Drs. Maheux and Donnez: We will launch it at the conclusion of the next World Congress on Endometriosis (WCE), the morning of July 4, 1998 at the Quebec Convention Centre, Quebec City, Canada.

OBGYN.net: How did the idea for an International Endometriosis Society take shape?

Drs. Maheux and Donnez: The idea for an International Endometriosis Society was set in motion during the last WCE in Yokohama in 1996. The founding members of the new Society are the past and future presidents of WCE:

• MA Bruhat, France
• V Buttram, USA
• I Brosens and J Donnez, Belgium
• E Coutinho, Brazil
• H Minaguchi and O Sugimoto, Japan
• A Lemay and R Maheux, Canada
• R Shaw and E Thomas, UK
• J Rock, USA
• J Evers, Netherlands

OBGYN.net: What is the purpose and mission of the International Endometriosis Society?

Drs. Maheux and Donnez: The purpose of IES is to:

• Promote the exchange of clinical experience, scientific thought and investigation among gynecologists, endocrinologists, researchers, biologists and other qualified persons interested in endometriosis;
• Foster research in endometriosis pathogenesis and treatment;
• Disseminate information about endometriosis;
• Encourage and support collaboration among national and international societies interested in endometriosis;
• Organize the future WCE.

OBGYN.net: What unmet needs do you see the Society fulfilling? Where will you place your focus?

Drs. Maheux and Donnez: Our focus will be on international collaboration in clinical trials and basic research on endometriosis. We will also be working toward standardization among the different countries in the management of endometriosis. We will have a special emphasis on young investigators and scientists working in the area of endometriosis research.

OBGYN.net: Are you aware of any similar societies or associations anywhere else in the world? If so, how will your Society be different and unique, do you feel? How can your Society complement or enhance what's already out there?

Drs. Maheux and Donnez: There are some national research societies on endometriosis, but their impact is only local. The WCE was initially the idea of very few doctors. We thought that the organization of future meetings of the WCE should be under the authority of a democratic international society dedicated to endometriosis. Such a Society would also attempt to promote better health care and research in this field through a strong spirit of international collaboration.

OBGYN.net: Who can join your Society? How much does it cost to join your Society? What services will your Society offer?

Drs. Maheux and Donnez: For sure, practicing clinicians, medical residents, medical students, and scientific researchers are welcome to join the Society. The annual dues will be determined at the first general assembly. Young investigators will have reduced annual dues.

For patients, we are trying to minimize duplication and to work in close collaboration with present organizations of women affected by this disease such as the Endometriosis Association.

Clinical guidelines, educational material and scientific seminars will be organized for the members. The Society also wants to be an open forum to promote international collaboration in clinical trials and basic research on endometriosis.

OBGYN.net: Do you plan to publish a newsletter or journal? A web-based newsletter or journal? How can people subscribe or contribute editorially to such a journal or newsletter?

Drs. Maheux and Donnez: We will initially offer a printed newsletter and a Website. A formal journal is not planned in the near future.

OBGYN.net: On a personal level, what inspired you to launch the Society? What personal vision do you have for this Society? In time, what would you like it to become? How do you feel it can best make a positive difference in the world? What help do you need, if any? Are you currently seeking board members?

Drs. Maheux and Donnez: Better collaboration among the scientists of the world interested in this pathology is needed for a better (and a faster) understanding of the physiopathology of this challenging disease. The promotion of Evidence-Based Medicine in the field will be facilitated by international collaboration in clinical trials. A better standardization all around the world in the diagnosis and management of this disease is also needed.

The initial board members will be the past and future presidents of WCE (listed above). Elections will allow progressive replacement of the initial board.

OBGYN.net: How is the International Endometriosis Society being sponsored or funded? Are you currently receiving any institutional or commercial support for this Society? If not, do you plan to seek such support in the future? Are you affiliated with any medical school, Health Science Centre, or other educational institution?

Drs. Maheux and Donnez: The IES will be launched and will survive initially with the profits of the next WCE in Quebec City. Individual and corporate memberships and profits from future meetings of the WCE are other possible forms of income. We are not affiliated with any institution at present.

OBGYN.net: Is there anything that you would like to communicate specifically about endometriosis? Perhaps something that you feel is not always completely understood by other physicians about this condition?

Drs. Maheux and Donnez: Endometriosis is a complex pathology. Practically asymptomatic in some women and quite severe in others, the condition may be over- and under-diagnosed. The promotion of international collaboration in clinical trials related to this field will help us provide Evidence-Based Medicine to women affected by this pathology.

We invite all those who are interested in the future of endometriosis treatment and research to join us June 30 - July 4 1998 in Quebec City, Canada for the VI World Congress on Endometriosis.

The program and the speakers of the main sessions (3 plenaries and 6 parallel sessions) can be found on the WCE web site at: http://www.endometriosis98.com.

OBGYN.net: Where, specifically, will IES be headquartered? What's the best way for people to reach you?

Drs. Maheux and Donnez: The location of IES headquarters will be decided during the next WCE in Quebec City. For now, people can reach us by e-mail at RMaheux@compuserve.com (Dr. Maheux) and/or Donnez@gyne.ucl.ac.be (Dr. Donnez).

OBGYN.net: Thank you very much, Dr. Maheux and Dr. Donnez, for granting us this interview. Speaking on behalf of everyone at OBGYN.net, we wish you much luck and success with the International Endometriosis Society.

Drs. Maheux and Donnez: And thank you, Joel, for giving us the opportunity to communicate with readers of OBGYN.net.