In this research spotlight update, we’re featuring the team at the University of Edinburgh. Their research is building a unique resource that combines patient data, tracking, and biological samples. By analysing this data with AI and using advanced laboratory techniques, they aim to speed up diagnosis and develop more personalised treatments for endometriosis.
What do you want patients to know/understand about your research?
Our findings heavily depend on the quality of the data we collect. We believe the combination of the different types of data (questionnaires, smartwatches, and biological data) over many months has the potential to provide new insights into endometriosis. It is the quality and quantity of the data that enables us to test theories and better understand, e.g. the extent of different symptoms, their severity, and which interventions work better, ultimately this will help us develop targeted solutions for each patient.
Are there any common misconceptions patients have about endometriosis and/or endometriosis research? How does your research address this misconception?
A much broader topic is that there is a lot of hype about what AI can do, frequently with insufficient testing to support claims. For this project, we have two sites collecting data (UK and Croatia) which will allow us to better evaluate how well we can assess endometriosis symptoms ensuring that what we develop is thoroughly tested.
What is one thing about your research that might surprise patients?
Some study participants (and even clinical colleagues!) were surprised by the extent of possible insights we can deliver by processing data collected from wearable sensors and smartphones. We have shown, for example, that sleep problems – and their knock-on effect on daily activities – are far more prevalent than widely considered. Many people attribute tiredness to reduced sleep duration, whereas the usual true cause is often poor sleep quality. We can capture very detailed information with the devices that we use, which is useful to understand how endometriosis affects the life of each individual and understand how well different therapies might be best targeted.