Assessing the knowledge of endometriosis diagnostic tools in a large, international lay population: an online survey.

Mathew Leonardi, Rodrigo Rocha, Alia Tun-Ismalil, Kristy Robledo, Mike Armour, G. Condous
In: Authorea, Inc. · 2021 · doi:10.22541/au.161732012.21980938/v1 · W3214888695
preprint OA: gold CC0 ⤵ 1 in-corpus citation
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An international online survey of 5301 respondents revealed significant gaps in the lay population's knowledge regarding endometriosis diagnostic tools, particularly ultrasound, with most diagnosed surgically and limited belief in non-surgical diagnostic access.

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Abstract

Objective: To assess the general population’s knowledge regarding the utility and availability of tools to diagnosis endometriosis, with focus on ultrasound. Design: An international cross-sectional online survey study was performed between August and October 2019. Setting and Population: 5301 respondents, representing 73 countries. Methods: 23 questions survey focused on knowledge of endometriosis diagnosis distributed globally via patient- and community-endometriosis groups using social media. Main outcomes and measures: Descriptive data of the knowledge of diagnostic tools for diagnosing endometriosis, including details about diagnosis using ultrasound. Results: 84.0% of respondents had been previously diagnosed with endometriosis, 71.5% of which were diagnosed at the time of surgery. Ultrasound and MRI were the methods of diagnosis in 6.5% and 1.8%, respectively. 91.8%, 28.8%, and 16.6% of respondents believed surgery, ultrasound and MRI could diagnose endometriosis, respectively (more than one answer allowed). In those diagnosed by surgery, 21.7% knew about ultrasound as a diagnosis method compared to 51.5% knowing in those diagnosed non-surgically (p<0.001). 14.7%, 31.1%, and 18.2% stated superficial, ovarian, and deep endometriosis could be diagnosed with ultrasound (32.9% stated they did not know which phenotypes of endometriosis could be diagnosed). 58.4% of respondents do not believe they could access an advanced ultrasound in their region. Conclusions: There are significant gaps in the understanding of diagnosing endometriosis using non-surgical tools in this study population.

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endometriosis

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