The 15th World Congress on Endometriosis in Edinburgh in May 2023 was a resounding success!!
Registration during the opening day of the congress; the excitement was palpable. Over 1100 delegates from over 50 countries attended this brilliant congress, all with a common goal of improving endometriosis care for those living with the condition.
Dr Mathew Leonardi, Assistant Professor in Obstetrics & Gynaecology from McMaster University chaired the incredibly well attended pre-congress meeting in diagnosing and staging endometriosis with ultrasound. His clear message of “Diagnosis is therapy” was present throughout the full conference.
Below, the amazing Alison Deslandes, Specialist Obstetrics and Gynaecological sonographer from the University of Adelaide, scanning our volunteer patient. A live, in-real time ultrasound scan demonstrating the importance of diagnosis of endometriosis to allow those living with the condition feel more empowered about their care.
The art exhibition offered a very thought-provoking visual representation of endometriosis, the condition affecting 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth (of reproductive age).
EXPPECT PhD student Katherine Edgley presenting her 2 posters at the congress. One on high adherence to using smartwatches in combination with daily self-reports in patients with endometriosis.
The other, on managing pain and fatigue in endometriosis by exploring the role of physical activity, sleep and diurnal rhythms through smartwatch data.
World Congress on Endometriosis provided a fantastic networking opportunity for the clinicians of the future. Below we see 5th year University of Edinburgh medical student Kevin Kuan who has an interest in endometriosis care and was able to have the opportunity to present 2 posters, outlining his research into improving outcomes for those living with endometriosis.
World congress was a mammoth team effort including volunteers from all backgrounds who wanted to help at such a pivotal event for those suffering from endometriosis and clinicians wishing to improve endometriosis-related care. Below we have Ann Doust, Research Portfolio Manager to Professor Andrew Horne; the excitement did not dwindle as the week progressed.
Professors Philippa Saunders, Andrew Horne and Luk Rombauts giving a true Scottish welcome to delegates attending the conference.
A group of dedicated endometriosis specialists took on the huge challenge of cycling from Endometriosis UKs headquarters in London all the way to Edinburgh to attend the World Congress on Endometriosis, raising an incredible £10,835 in the process.
Professor John Cryan from University College Cork gave an amazing keynote on the gut brain axis. “An evidence base for the role of the gut microbiome in endometriosis is poised to change the way we understand & treat it. Unlike the genome, the microbiome is modifiable”.
The audience was captivated during one of the many talks given in the main auditorium.
Specialist Research Nurse Priscilla Fernandez from University of Edinburgh presented on the important topic of the Nurse Specialist role in research highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary team working and how it benefits patients seeking new treatment options.
Dr Lucy Whitaker Clinical Lecturer in Obstetrics & Gynaecology from University of Edinburgh presented on an exploratory open label study (EPiC1) of Dichloroacetate (DCA) to treat endometriosis associated pain. EPiC2 to start recruitment during the autumn of 2023.
The main auditorium, full of delegates from different disciplines, with one common objective of helping those with endometriosis.
Stacey Missmer, Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Biology from Michigan State University during the closing ceremony, thanking Early Career World Endometriosis Society Board.
Professors, Andrew Horne, Luk Rombauts and Philippa Saunders ready to take to the dancefloor during the World Congress celebration dinner at the National Museum of Scotland
Great food, drink and company at the celebration dinner. Relationships were forged and memories made at this fantastic event.
Aerialists delighted delegates with their spectacular vertigo inducing routine.
And 5,6,7,8. The “Virginia Reel” ceilidh dance well under way. Ceilidh time at the museum.
Our very own Dr Scott Mackenzie, winner of the Rodolphe Maheux award for best abstract from an Early Career Clinician identifying a SNP associated with gabapentin response in chronic pelvic pain. He was accompanied onstage by Emma Cox from Endometriosis UK, Professor Rombauts, Dr Jacques Donnez and Professors Saunders and Horne.
Professor Lorimer Mosely from University of South Australia closed the successful congress with a fascinating keynote focusing on chronic pain, reminiscent of a TED Talk.
WCE2023 AWARD WINNERS
Endometriosis UK Prize – Best Abstract Incorporating Public/Patient Engagement
Kate Wahl, University of British Columbia
ENDOCATION: A cluster randomized controlled trial of a menstrual health and endometriosis education program for middle and secondary school students
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Best oral presentation from an Early Career Clinician
Winner: Dr Connie Rees, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven
Highly Commended:
Dr Frances Bailey, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Tatjana Gibbons, University of Oxford
Best oral presentation from an Early Career Scientist
Winner: Anna Melgaard, Aarhus University
Highly Commended:
Dr Harriet Fitzgerald, Hudson Institute of Medical Research
Dr Fiona Cousins, Hudson Institute of Medical Research
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Best poster presentation from an Early Career Clinician
Winner: Mohammed Elsherbini, University of Tokyo
Highly Commended:
Giorgia Elisabeth Columbo, University of Aberdeen
Melissa Herbst-Kralovetz, University of Arizona
Best poster presentation from an Early Career Scientist:
Winner: Ellen Kan, MIT
Highly Commended:
Lydia Coxon, University of Oxford
Axelle Brulport, INSERM
Anna Senior, University of Warwick