Improving the diagnosis of endometriosis in Asia-Pacific: Consensus from the Asia-Pacific Endometriosis Expert Panel for Endometriosis
5
Issued Date
2023-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
00207292
eISSN
18793479
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85173987540
Pubmed ID
37837343
Journal Title
International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics (2023)
Suggested Citation
Yen C.F., Hamdan M., Hengrasmee P., Huang Z., Jeong K., Dao L.A., Lertvikool S., Mogan S., Pal B., Sumapradja K., Wu M.H., Yap-Garcia M.I.M., Donovan C., Christopher S., Kim M.R. Improving the diagnosis of endometriosis in Asia-Pacific: Consensus from the Asia-Pacific Endometriosis Expert Panel for Endometriosis. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics (2023). doi:10.1002/ijgo.15142 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/90723
Title
Improving the diagnosis of endometriosis in Asia-Pacific: Consensus from the Asia-Pacific Endometriosis Expert Panel for Endometriosis
Author's Affiliation
Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital
Ramathibodi Hospital
Siriraj Hospital
Chang Gung University College of Medicine
National Cheng Kung University Hospital
Universitas Indonesia, RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo
National University Hospital
Universiti Malaya
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
National Tsing Hua University
National University of Singapore
College of Medicine of the Catholic University of Korea
Endometriosis Association of Malaysia (MyEndosis)
Apollo Multispecialty Hospital
Bayer (South East Asia) Pte Ltd
Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital
Ramathibodi Hospital
Siriraj Hospital
Chang Gung University College of Medicine
National Cheng Kung University Hospital
Universitas Indonesia, RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo
National University Hospital
Universiti Malaya
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
National Tsing Hua University
National University of Singapore
College of Medicine of the Catholic University of Korea
Endometriosis Association of Malaysia (MyEndosis)
Apollo Multispecialty Hospital
Bayer (South East Asia) Pte Ltd
Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Endometriosis should be diagnosed as early as possible in the continuum of care; but substantial delays of approximately 6–8 years between symptom onset and endometriosis diagnosis have been widely reported. With the purpose of improving the prompt diagnosis of endometriosis, the Asia-Pacific Endometriosis Expert Panel (APEX) sought to address the reasons for diagnostic delays across the region, and formulate a multi-pronged approach to overcoming these challenges. In the first instance, clinical diagnosis is preferable to surgical diagnosis, in order to facilitate earlier empirical treatment and minimize the negative sequelae of undiagnosed/untreated disease. There should be a high clinical index of suspicion in women presenting with cyclical symptoms, including those involving extrapelvic organs. Diagnostic delays in Asia-Pacific countries are attributable to a variety of patient, physician, and healthcare factors, including poor awareness, normalization/trivialization of pain, individual/cultural attitudes toward menstruation, default use of symptom-suppressing treatments, misdiagnosis, and a lack of diagnostic resourcing or adequate referral pathways in some areas. Suggested initiatives to reduce diagnostic delays are geared toward improving public awareness, improving clinical diagnostic skills, streamlining multidisciplinary care pathways for timely referral, updating and implementing diagnostic guidelines, lobbying policymakers and insurance companies for endometriosis support, and increasing efforts to bridge data gaps and perform further research in this field. Formulating specific action plans and gathering traction are the responsibility of individual countries within local parameters. The APEX group advocates for any initiatives and policies that support the unmet needs of women with endometriosis, to improve patient experience and outcomes.