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

Mathew Leonardi, Rodrigo Rocha, A N Tun-Ismail, A.N. Tun‐ismail, Tun-Ismail AN, Kristy Robledo, K P Robledo, Mike Armour, G Condous, Condous G
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology · 2021 · vol. 128(13) , pp. 2084–2090 · doi:10.1111/1471-0528.16865 · PMID:34403184 · W3155325004
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An international online survey of 5301 respondents found limited awareness of non-surgical diagnostic tools for endometriosis, particularly ultrasound, among the general population.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the general population's knowledge regarding the utility and availability of tools to diagnosis endometriosis, with a 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: In all, 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: In all, 84.0% of respondents had been previously diagnosed with endometriosis, 71.5% of whom had been diagnosed at the time of surgery. Ultrasound and MRI were the methods of diagnosis in 6.5% and 1.8%, respectively. A total of 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, whereas in those diagnosed non-surgically, 51.5% knew (P < 0.001). In all, 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). Lastly, 58.4% of respondents do not believe they could access an advanced ultrasound in their region. CONCLUSIONS: There is a limited appreciation for the role of non-surgical diagnostic tests for endometriosis among lay respondents to this survey. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: International survey shows limited awareness of lay respondents about non-surgical endometriosis diagnostic tools.

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Condition tags

endometriosischronic_pelvic_pain

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Magnetic Resonance Imaging Pelvic Pain Ultrasonography Adult Cross-Sectional Studies Endometriosis Female Humans Magnetic Resonance Imaging Middle Aged Pelvic Pain Pelvic Pain Surveys and Questionnaires Ultrasonography

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