TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevalence of newly diagnosed endometriosis in women attending the general practitioner
AU - Ferrero, Simone
AU - Arena, Elisa
AU - Morando, Amatore
AU - Remorgida, Valentino
PY - 2010/9
Y1 - 2010/9
N2 - Objective: To investigate the prevalence of newly diagnosed endometriosis in premenopausal women who requested a consultation with their general practitioner because of non-gynecological problems. Method: Participants in the study were invited to complete a questionnaire investigating the presence of pain symptoms and infertility. On the basis of the characteristics of these symptoms, some patients underwent gynecological examination and transvaginal ultrasound. Radiological examinations were performed when bowel or bladder endometriosis were suspected. Results: A total of 1291 women without a previous diagnosis of endometriosis were included in the study. On the basis of the symptoms, 108 women were referred to a gynecologist. After gynecological examination and transvaginal ultrasound, endometriosis was suspected in 51 women (47.2%). The diagnosis of endometriosis was confirmed by radiological investigations and/or surgery in 46 patients; the diagnosis of endometriosis was presumed in 2 other women but it was not confirmed by radiological investigations and/or surgery. The prevalence of endometriosis diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging and/or surgery was 3.6% (46/1291). Conclusion: The prevalence of newly diagnosed symptomatic endometriosis in this study was at least 3.6%. A simple evaluation of symptoms (pain and infertility) that can be performed by a general practitioner facilitates the diagnosis of endometriosis.
AB - Objective: To investigate the prevalence of newly diagnosed endometriosis in premenopausal women who requested a consultation with their general practitioner because of non-gynecological problems. Method: Participants in the study were invited to complete a questionnaire investigating the presence of pain symptoms and infertility. On the basis of the characteristics of these symptoms, some patients underwent gynecological examination and transvaginal ultrasound. Radiological examinations were performed when bowel or bladder endometriosis were suspected. Results: A total of 1291 women without a previous diagnosis of endometriosis were included in the study. On the basis of the symptoms, 108 women were referred to a gynecologist. After gynecological examination and transvaginal ultrasound, endometriosis was suspected in 51 women (47.2%). The diagnosis of endometriosis was confirmed by radiological investigations and/or surgery in 46 patients; the diagnosis of endometriosis was presumed in 2 other women but it was not confirmed by radiological investigations and/or surgery. The prevalence of endometriosis diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging and/or surgery was 3.6% (46/1291). Conclusion: The prevalence of newly diagnosed symptomatic endometriosis in this study was at least 3.6%. A simple evaluation of symptoms (pain and infertility) that can be performed by a general practitioner facilitates the diagnosis of endometriosis.
KW - Diagnosis
KW - Endometriosis
KW - Epidemiology
KW - General practitioner
KW - Prevalence
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U2 - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2010.03.039
DO - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2010.03.039
M3 - Article
C2 - 20546747
AN - SCOPUS:77955718245
VL - 110
SP - 203
EP - 207
JO - International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
JF - International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
SN - 0020-7292
IS - 3
ER -