News | Five-Minute Questionnaire Screens for Endometriosis and May Reduce Years of Diagnostic Delay
Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia have developed a screening tool that takes about five minutes to complete. It is designed to identify people at high risk of endometriosis earlier and accelerate referral and further diagnosis.
Called the Simplified Adolescent Factors for Endometriosis (SAFE) score, the tool uses a brief questionnaire to identify adolescents or young women who may have the condition, helping primary care providers refer high-risk patients for specialist evaluation sooner.
The researchers said the tool could significantly reduce the prolonged delays that are common in endometriosis diagnosis.
Diagnosis Often Takes an Average of 6 to 8 Years
Professor Gita Mishra, study lead and director of the Australian Women and Girls' Health Research Centre at the University of Queensland, noted that obtaining an endometriosis diagnosis is often a lengthy process.
She said: “Identifying which patients need referral and treatment has always been challenging, and improving diagnosis is an important current research priority.”
Professor Mishra noted that many patients currently wait 6 to 8 years from the first onset of symptoms to a final diagnosis.
She said: “If disease risk can be identified earlier—ideally when adolescents first begin menstruating—it may be possible to substantially shorten the time to diagnosis and begin treatment sooner.”
Six Questions Assess Risk
The SAFE score is based on a six-question survey that assesses symptoms and risk factors to determine whether further evaluation is needed.
The questionnaire mainly asks:
Whether pelvic pain occurs frequently
Whether medical care has been sought for pelvic pain
Whether pain medication is used to relieve pelvic pain
Whether menstrual bleeding is heavy
Whether menstrual pain is severe
Whether there is a family history of endometriosis
The system generates a risk score from the responses. The more risk factors identified, the higher the score and the greater the likelihood of the condition.
The researchers said the scoring system can help primary care providers better determine which patients need referral to a specialist clinic for further evaluation.
Study Based on Data from More Than 9,000 Women
The SAFE score was developed using data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health.
The team analyzed data from more than 9,000 women, identified key risk factors associated with endometriosis, and used them to design the questionnaire.
Professor Mishra said that although the tool is suitable for women of different ages, the team specifically designed questions appropriate for adolescents to identify potential cases as early as possible.
Early Diagnosis Is Critical for Fertility Treatment
Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. It can cause severe pain and fertility problems.
There is currently no cure. In Australia, the condition affects about 11% of women of reproductive age.
The researchers noted that nonspecific symptoms, limited public awareness, misdiagnosis, and the social normalization of menstrual pain all contribute to delayed diagnosis.
Endometriosis has also traditionally required surgery for a definitive diagnosis, although the medical community is working toward diagnosis using imaging such as ultrasound or MRI to reduce invasive procedures.
Professor Mishra said many women are not diagnosed until their twenties, when they are preparing to conceive.
She noted: “Early diagnosis is critical because it may change the future fertility treatment pathway.”
She explained that conventional ovulation induction is often less effective for women with endometriosis, while in vitro fertilization (IVF) is generally more effective.
Clinical Validation Is the Next Step
The team plans to further evaluate the SAFE score in clinical settings, including practical testing in general practices, specialist endometriosis clinics, and pelvic pain clinics in Brisbane.
The researchers also plan to explore developing a mobile app to make the tool easier for patients and clinicians to use.
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month worldwide. Its symbolic color is yellow, and it aims to increase public awareness and understanding of the condition.
The researchers hope that a simpler, more accessible screening tool will help more women receive diagnosis and treatment earlier, improving quality of life and reducing the impact of the disease on reproductive health.
News | Five-Minute Questionnaire Screens for Endometriosis and May Reduce Years of Diagnostic Delay
News | Five-Minute Questionnaire Screens for Endometriosis and May Reduce Years of Diagnostic Delay
Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia have developed a screening tool that takes about five minutes to complete. It is designed to identify people at high risk of endometriosis earlier and accelerate referral and further diagnosis.
Called the Simplified Adolescent Factors for Endometriosis (SAFE) score, the tool uses a brief questionnaire to identify adolescents or young women who may have the condition, helping primary care providers refer high-risk patients for specialist evaluation sooner.
The researchers said the tool could significantly reduce the prolonged delays that are common in endometriosis diagnosis.
Diagnosis Often Takes an Average of 6 to 8 Years
Professor Gita Mishra, study lead and director of the Australian Women and Girls' Health Research Centre at the University of Queensland, noted that obtaining an endometriosis diagnosis is often a lengthy process.
She said: “Identifying which patients need referral and treatment has always been challenging, and improving diagnosis is an important current research priority.”
Professor Mishra noted that many patients currently wait 6 to 8 years from the first onset of symptoms to a final diagnosis.
She said: “If disease risk can be identified earlier—ideally when adolescents first begin menstruating—it may be possible to substantially shorten the time to diagnosis and begin treatment sooner.”
Six Questions Assess Risk
The SAFE score is based on a six-question survey that assesses symptoms and risk factors to determine whether further evaluation is needed.
The questionnaire mainly asks:
Whether pelvic pain occurs frequently
Whether medical care has been sought for pelvic pain
Whether pain medication is used to relieve pelvic pain
Whether menstrual bleeding is heavy
Whether menstrual pain is severe
Whether there is a family history of endometriosis
The system generates a risk score from the responses. The more risk factors identified, the higher the score and the greater the likelihood of the condition.
The researchers said the scoring system can help primary care providers better determine which patients need referral to a specialist clinic for further evaluation.
Study Based on Data from More Than 9,000 Women
The SAFE score was developed using data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health.
The team analyzed data from more than 9,000 women, identified key risk factors associated with endometriosis, and used them to design the questionnaire.
Professor Mishra said that although the tool is suitable for women of different ages, the team specifically designed questions appropriate for adolescents to identify potential cases as early as possible.
Early Diagnosis Is Critical for Fertility Treatment
Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. It can cause severe pain and fertility problems.
There is currently no cure. In Australia, the condition affects about 11% of women of reproductive age.
The researchers noted that nonspecific symptoms, limited public awareness, misdiagnosis, and the social normalization of menstrual pain all contribute to delayed diagnosis.
Endometriosis has also traditionally required surgery for a definitive diagnosis, although the medical community is working toward diagnosis using imaging such as ultrasound or MRI to reduce invasive procedures.
Professor Mishra said many women are not diagnosed until their twenties, when they are preparing to conceive.
She noted: “Early diagnosis is critical because it may change the future fertility treatment pathway.”
She explained that conventional ovulation induction is often less effective for women with endometriosis, while in vitro fertilization (IVF) is generally more effective.
Clinical Validation Is the Next Step
The team plans to further evaluate the SAFE score in clinical settings, including practical testing in general practices, specialist endometriosis clinics, and pelvic pain clinics in Brisbane.
The researchers also plan to explore developing a mobile app to make the tool easier for patients and clinicians to use.
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month worldwide. Its symbolic color is yellow, and it aims to increase public awareness and understanding of the condition.
The researchers hope that a simpler, more accessible screening tool will help more women receive diagnosis and treatment earlier, improving quality of life and reducing the impact of the disease on reproductive health.
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