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\n When using the SAFE tool, age-appropriate questions target adolescent females to identify endometriosis risk factors from an earlier age.
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\n News<\/p>\n
\n The new tool can quickly identify at-risk patients, aiming to reduce diagnostic delays and support GPs\u2019 clinical decision making, once clinically available.
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\n When using the SAFE tool, age-appropriate questions target adolescent females to identify endometriosis risk factors from an earlier age.
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The more risk factors identified the higher the score and greater likelihood of the condition, the study authors say, with the next steps to evaluate the tool in clinical settings \u2013 including general practices and endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics. Professor Mazza agrees an evaluation of the tool in the clinical setting is necessary.
newsGP weekly poll
\n Endometriosis carries an average of 6\u20138 years<\/a> between onset of symptoms and diagnosis, but a new tool is showing promise in reducing diagnostic delays and supporting GPs in clinical decision making.
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\nDeveloped by University of Queensland (UQ) researchers, the Simplified Adolescent Factors for Endometriosis (SAFE) score<\/a> is a five-minute questionnaire to identify at-risk patient.
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\nWhile it is still early days and the score is yet to be testing in a clinical setting, the tool takes girls or young women\u2019s answers and converts them to a points-based system to help guide primary care referrals and fast-track treatment.
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\nThe evidence-based tool was designed using data from more than 9000 women from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women\u2019s Health<\/a>, with researchers identifying risk factors for endometriosis.
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\n\u2018Identifying which patients should be referred and treated is challenging and improving how patients are diagnosed is a major priority,\u2019 project lead Professor Gita Mishra said.
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\n\u2018By detecting endometriosis earlier \u2013 ideally in adolescents as soon as they begin their periods \u2013 we hope the tool will reduce the average 6\u20138-year diagnostic delay so we can start treatment as early as possible.\u2019
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\nUsing the SAFE tool, young women are asked if they:
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\n\texperience pelvic pain often
\n\thave often sought treatment for pelvic pain
\n\thave taken painkillers for pelvic pain
\n\texperience heavy menstrual bleeding
\n\texperience painful periods
\n\thave a family history of endometriosis.
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\nWomen\u2019s health expert and Head of Monash University\u2019s Department of General Practice, Professor Danielle Mazza, told newsGP while the tool is not yet ready for implementation in clinical practice, it is \u2018interesting and potentially useful\u2019.
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\n\u2018It has the benefit of potentially leading to a reduction in delay of diagnosis and delay in the commencement of treatment,\u2019 she said.
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\n\u2018And it\u2019s targeting adolescent girls [of whom] many present in general practice with these kinds of symptoms.
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\n\u2018We would hope GPs would consider the diagnosis of endometriosis and start to treat symptoms, and the guidelines recommend<\/a> treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and hormonal contraceptive products.\u2019
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\nAs Endometriosis Awareness Month<\/a> is underway, further research<\/a> examining the health conditions and social issues most impacting Australian females reveals the \u2018silent\u2019 condition is still tainted with a lack of understanding, recognition and support.
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\nThis is resulting in \u2018discrepancies and adverse consequences for women\u2019s and girls\u2019 equitable access to healthcare, outcomes and research participation\u2019.
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\nThe survey of more than 2000 women and girls identifies that endometriosis is the condition which they feel needs the most funding and support (72.9%), followed by depression (66.3%).
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\nThe UQ researchers say while the SAFE tool can be used in women of any age, age-appropriate questions have been \u2018carefully chosen\u2019 to target adolescents.
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\n\u2018We need to be able to detect endometriosis early because our research found most women were diagnosed in their late twenties, often when they are trying to fall pregnant,\u2019 Professor Mishra said.
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\n\u2018Early diagnosis is critical because it can change treatment of fertility issues later on.\u2019<\/p>\n
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\n\u2018The items they\u2019ve identified are the expected ones \u2026 these are common things that GPs would ask about, but the researchers put together a questionnaire with a score which has a predictive value of endometriosis,\u2019 she said.
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\n\u2018They raise some interesting points, like would the potential of reducing time to diagnosis by using a questionnaire like this actually bring about unnecessary anxiety in adolescent girls?
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\n\u2018So, they\u2019ve got to test it in the clinical environment.\u2019
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\n clinical support tool<\/a> diagnostic delays<\/a> endometriosis<\/a> pelvic pain<\/a> referral pathways<\/a> women\u2019s health<\/a>
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