Adenomyosis diagnosis among adolescents and young women with dysmenorrhoea and heavy menstrual bleeding.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the prevalence of adenomyosis at ultrasonography among adolescents and young women reporting dysmenorrhoea and/or heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB)? DESIGN: This observational cohort study involved adolescents and young women referred for dysmenorrhoea and/or HMB to the Adolescent Medicine Unit at Careggi University Hospital, Italy. Patients with endometriosis and bleeding disorders were excluded. Transvaginal ultrasonography or transrectal sonography using a transvaginal probe was performed. The myometrium was described according to the Morphological Uterus Sonographic Assessment criteria. Details of baseline characteristics, clinical data and symptoms were collected. The presence of sonographic features of adenomyosis and the association between imaging findings and clinical symptoms were evaluated. RESULTS: The cohort included 95 patients aged between 13 and 25 years, referred for dysmenorrhoea (88.4%), HMB (23.2%) or both (13.7%). According to the MUSA criteria the sonographic diagnosis of adenomyosis was made in 27.4% of patients, with the diffuse type the most prevalent. Uterine wall asymmetry, hyperechoic intramyometrial islands, translesional vascularity and an interrupted junctional zone were the most common features. Patients with imaging findings of adenomyosis had significantly higher rates of HMB than those with a normal myometrial appearance (38.5% versus 17.4%, P = 0.030). In addition, the coexistence of dysmenorrhoea and HMB was significantly associated with adenomyosis (odds ratio 5.68, 95% confidence interval 1.65-19.5). CONCLUSIONS: Adenomyosis may be diagnosed among teenagers and young women referred with dysmenorrhoea and/or HMB. The clinical presentation is relevant for the diagnosis, with HMB alone and HMB plus dysmenorrhoea significantly associated with the sonographic identification of adenomyosis.

Comprehensive Analysis of Iron Deficiency Anemia and Its Related Disorders in Premenopausal Women Based on a Propensity Score Matching Case Control Study Using National Health Insurance Service Database in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Menorrhagia is a common cause of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in premenopausal women. However, the effects of menorrhagia on IDA in premenopausal women have been underestimated compared to those on other IDA-related disorders (IRDs) such as gastrointestinal malignancies (GIMs). To better understand the relationship between menorrhagia and IDA in premenopausal women, we analyzed the National Health Insurance Service-National Health Information Database (NHIS-NHID). METHODS: From 2005 to 2008, data about women between the age of 20 and 59 years were extracted from the NHIS-NHID to create a propensity score-matched case (IDA) and control group. The annual incidence of IDA was calculated per age group. A 10-year follow up of the study population was determined to detect IRDs in case and control groups. We compared the risk of detection (ROD) of IRDs, including GIM and gynecological disorders associated with menorrhagia - leiomyoma of uterus (LM) and adenomyosis (AM), in the case and the control group. RESULTS: From 2005 to 2008, women diagnosed with IDA (n = 535,249) and healthy women as a control group (n = 1,070,498) were identified from the NHIS-NHID. The annual incidence of IDA was 767.4 (2005), 948.7 (2006), 981.6 (2007), and 897.7 (2008) per 100,000 women. The age distribution of IDA was similar each year; IDA was common in women aged 30-39 years (36-37%) and 40-49 years (30-32%), and its incidence was significantly decreased in women aged 50-59 years (< 10%). The ROD of IRDs were significantly higher in the IDA group than in the control group (LM: 20.8% vs. 6.9%, AM: 5.6% vs. 1.6%, and GIM: 2.6% vs. 0.7%). The corresponding hazard ratios were 3.89 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.85-3.93) for LM, 4.99 (95% CI, 4.90-5.09) for AM, and 3.43 (95% CI, 3.32-3.55) for GIM. The ROD of the IRDs varied; the ROD of LM in the IDA group increased with age and decreased in the age group 50-59 years. AM was more frequently detected in women with IDA aged 30-39 years and less in women older than 40 years. The frequency of GIM increased with age. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that the gynecologic disease is the main cause of IDA in premenopausal women. Gynecological evaluations should be performed more actively in the clinic to prevent and control IDA and IRDs.

Contemporary evaluation of women and girls with abnormal uterine bleeding: FIGO Systems 1 and 2.

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is common, often debilitating, and may affect over 50% of reproductive-aged women and girls. Whereas AUB is a collection of symptoms that include intermenstrual bleeding and abnormalities in period duration, cycle length, and regularity, it is heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) that is most contributory to iron deficiency and related anemia. It is apparent that AUB, in general, and HMB, in particular, remain underrecognized and underreported. FIGO created two systems for assessing and classifying AUB. FIGO System 1 defines the bleeding pattern using four primary descriptors: frequency, duration, regularity, and flow volume. FIGO System 2 provides a structured classification system of possible causes of AUB, using the acronym PALM-COEIN. "PALM" refers to structural causes of AUB (Polyp, Adenomyosis, Leiomyoma, Malignancy), and "COEI" refers to nonstructural causes (Coagulopathy, Ovulatory dysfunction, Endometrial, and Iatrogenic). The "N" is reserved for those entities that are currently not otherwise classified. Using FIGO System 1 as a gateway to FIGO System 2 streamlines the investigation of reproductive-aged women and girls with AUB. Understanding the pathogenesis of the FIGO System 2 "PALM-COEIN" causes helps interpret investigations and the onward management of AUB. Numerous evidence gaps exist concerning AUB; however, if researchers and trialists universally adopt FIGO Systems 1 and 2 for the assessment and diagnosis of AUB, clear translatable research findings can be applied globally.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.

Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common problem in premenopausal women and refers to uterine bleeding that is abnormal in frequency, duration, volume, and/or regularity. Etiologies can be classified using the PALM-COIEN system. Patients should receive a comprehensive history and physical with special attention to menstrual, sexual, and family history. Physical examination needs to include a pelvic examination with speculum and bimanual components. All patients need to have a pregnancy test and CBC with platelets. Treatments vary by etiology. Medical treatments include levonorgestrel intrauterine devices, oral contraceptive pills, and tranexamic acid. Surgical treatment options include endometrial ablation and hysterectomy.

Treatment Patterns in Patients with Uterine Fibroids With and Without a Diagnosis of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Results from a Large U.S. Claims Database.

Background: This retrospective database analysis describes clinical characteristics and treatment patterns of U.S. women with a diagnosis for uterine fibroids (UF), both with and without heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB). Materials and Methods: Two cohorts aged 18-50 years with an incident UF diagnosis, comprising women with and without claims for HMB (UF-HMB and UF-only), were identified from the IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus database (January 1, 2010-December 31, 2019). The index date was the first UF claim following diagnosis; treatment patterns were documented for postindex years 1 and 2 and the full duration of postindex follow-up. Also identified were claims for symptoms or signs potentially associated with UF. Outcomes were the proportion of patients treated with pharmacologic therapies of interest and gynecologic procedures. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with postdiagnosis hysterectomy and hormonal therapy. Results: A total of 66,313 (71.8%) women were included in the UF-HMB cohort (mean age [standard deviation]) 42.6 [5.4] years), and 26,068 (28.2%) in the UF-only cohort (41.8 [6.3]). Median follow-up was ∼4 years. Pain was the most common symptom (42.7% in patients with UF-HMB and 36.6% with UF-only); also common were abnormal bleeding (15.6%, 11.5%) and fatigue (22.2%, 15.5%). Within 1 year of UF diagnosis, 28.8% and 49.2% of women with UF-HMB and UF-only, respectively, had no claims for relevant pharmacologic or surgical treatment. In logistic regression, multiple factors were associated with a higher likelihood of receiving hysterectomy or hormonal therapy. Conclusions: Patients with UF-HMB were more likely to receive UF treatment, either surgical or pharmacologic, than women with UF-only. Apart from HMB, pain was the most commonly documented symptom of UF.

Von Willebrand Disease-Specific Aspects in Women.

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder, which results from a deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor (VWF). The major symptoms of patients affected by VWD include mucocutaneous and gastrointestinal bleeding, easy bruising, and prolonged provoked bleeding due to injury or surgery. Although women and men are equally likely to be affected by VWD, women continue to be disproportionately affected by the bleeding challenges. Women with VWD suffer from sex-specific symptoms, such as menorrhagia, and are at higher risk of reproductive problems and recurrent miscarriage. Furthermore, pregnant women with VWD are more likely at higher risk of suffering from primary and secondary peripartal hemorrhage and anemia and the need for transfusions. Despite being affected by gynecologic and obstetrical bleeding, women face multiple barriers in obtaining an accurate diagnosis. This constitutes a problem that needs to be addressed, and early appropriate medical care should be ensured. There are several effective treatment options for women with VWD that can significantly improve their quality of life, including desmopressin, VWF concentrates, hormonal therapy, and antifibrinolytic therapy. During pregnancy, the monitoring of VWF activity levels is essential. The peripartal management depends on the type of VWD and on the measured levels of VWF levels and activity prior to delivery.

Iron deficiency anemia: Impact on women's reproductive health.

Iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are highly prevalent among women across their life span, especially during the reproductive age. An iron-deficient state has been associated with a number of adverse health consequences, affecting all aspects of the physical and emotional well-being of women. Heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnancy state, and the postpartum period are the major causes of ID/IDA. However, despite the high prevalence and the impact on quality of life, ID/IDA among fertile age women remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. The present Views and Reviews provides an overview on IDA in women's health, describing the background on iron metabolism, heavy menstrual bleeding pathogenetic mechanisms, including a focus on uterine disorders, such as uterine fibroids and adenomyosis. Iron replacement therapies, patient blood management, and treatment options for uterine disorders also are explored.

Gynaecological management of women with inherited bleeding disorders. A UK Haemophilia Centres Doctors' Organisation Guideline.

Women with inherited bleeding disorders (IBDs) may present to healthcare professionals in a variety of ways and commonly will be encountered by either haematology or gynaecology services. Heavy menstrual bleeding is very often the first manifestation of an IBD. There is a wide variation in severity of bleeding for women with IBD and diagnosis and subsequent management of their condition requires multidisciplinary specialised care which is tailored to the individual and includes excellent cross-specialty communication between gynaecology and haematology teams. This guideline is intended for both haematologists and gynaecologists who are involved in the diagnosis and management of women with bleeding disorders. It sets out recommendations about how to investigate heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), the commonest presentation for women with IBD to hospital services, to guide physicians about how to diagnose an IBD and covers the management of women with known IBD and HMB. The second section sets out recommendations for patients known to have IBD and covers management of patients with IBD in the setting of gynaecological surgery and management for all other non-surgical gynaecological situations.

Evaluation and management of abnormal uterine bleeding.

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is one of the commonest complaints of women in reproductive age and non-gravid state that brings them to the attention of the primary care doctor or the gynaecologist. Anovulation without any medical illness or pelvic pathology seems to be the common cause. Bleeding due to a wide variation in pathology both inside and outside the reproductive tract can be termed as anovulatory bleeding. Therefore, it is mandatory to elicit a focused menstrual history and appropriate evaluation followed by a pelvic examination. This includes a vaginal speculum examination to differentiate anovulatory bleeding from other causes of bleeding. In contrast, Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is referred to as an ovulatory bleeding exceeding 8 days duration and is often caused by uterine fibroids or adenomyosis, a copper IUD or coagulation disorders. PALM-COEIN classification is a system designed by the Federation Internationale de Gynaecologie et d'Obstetrique to define the precise underlying causes of AUB. Aetiology of AUB can be classified as the following acronym "PALM-COEIN": Polyp, Adenomyosis, Leiomyoma, Malignancy and hyperplasia, Coagulopathy, Ovulatory dysfunction, Endometrial, Iatrogenic and Not yet classified. AUB describes a range of symptoms, such as HMB, intermenstrual bleeding (IMB) and a combination of both heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding (MB). Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) and menorrhagia are now better described as AUB. Newborn girls sometimes spot for a few days after birth, due to placental oestrogenic stimulation of the endometrium in utero.

Assessment of Iron Status in Adolescents Presenting to the Emergency Department With Heavy Menstrual Bleeding.

OBJECTIVE: Iron deficiency is extremely common in adolescents with heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) presenting to the emergency department; however, patients are rarely screened for this. The objective of this study was to evaluate screening for iron deficiency in adolescents presenting to the emergency department for HMB. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a single-center, cross-sectional observational study using retrospective chart review. The study subjects are adolescents ages 11 to 19 years with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification/International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification, codes for HMB who presented to the emergency department at a national tertiary care hospital from 2006 to 2018. Pregnant adolescents with HMB were excluded. Chart abstraction for demographic data, symptoms, laboratory tests, treatments, and outcomes was performed. The main outcome measure was the number of adolescents who had an iron evaluation in the emergency department and were discharged on oral iron. RESULTS: Of the 258 nonpregnant adolescents who sought care for HMB in the emergency department, 225 (87.2%) were evaluated with serum hemoglobin testing. Ninety-four (41.7%) of those tested were anemic. Only 23 of the 258 patients (8.9%) had iron studies (serum ferritin) performed; 18 of 23 (78.3%) had iron deficiency and 21 of 23 (92.3%) were anemic. Subjects presenting with fatigue, headache, or palpitations were more likely to have iron studies performed than those without these symptoms (all P < 0.01). Thirty-two of the 258 subjects (12.4%) were discharged on oral iron therapy, which included only 15 of the 18 subjects (83.3%) with iron deficiency determined by ferritin testing. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents presenting to the emergency department with HMB are at significant risk of iron deficiency but are not being screened or treated, which may have significant consequences.

Ulipristal acetate compared with leuprorelin acetate for Japanese women with symptomatic uterine fibroids: a phase III randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ulipristal acetate (UPA) for uterine fibroids (UFs), a phase III study was conducted with leuprorelin (LEU) as a comparator. This is the first confirmatory trial of UPA for UFs among Asians. DESIGN: Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group study. SETTING: Thirty-two sites in Japan. PATIENT(S): Patients were assigned to 2 arms, with 82 patients in the UPA group and 79 patients in the LEU group. INTERVENTION(S): In the UPA group, 10 mg of UPA was orally administered once a day for 12 weeks. In the LEU group, 1.88 mg or 3.75 mg of LEU was subcutaneously administered at weeks 0, 4, and 8. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients with amenorrhea for 35 days. For safety evaluation, adverse events (AEs) were recorded. RESULT(S): The percentage of patients with amenorrhea for 35 days was 87.0% in the UPA group and 81.8% in the LEU group, and the efficacy of UPA for causing amenorrhea for 35 days was confirmed to be noninferior to that of LEU. AEs occurred in 78.0% of the patients in the UPA group and 88.8% of the patients in the LEU group. CONCLUSION(S): The effect of UPA on heavy menstrual bleeding was shown to be comparable with that of LEU in Japanese patients with symptomatic UFs. No notable AEs occurred because of the UPA treatment, and the incidence of AEs in the UPA group was comparable with that of AEs in the LEU group. This result demonstrates the clinical utility of UPA for Asians.

Plexiform Neurofibroma of the Uterus: A Case Report.

The female genital tract system is rarely affected by neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Plexiform neurofibromas are congenital lesions that occur in patients with NF1. The vulva is the most frequent genital location but vaginal, cervical, uterine, and ovarian neurofibromas have rarely been reported. We describe a case of plexiform neurofibromas involving the uterine cervix in a patient with known NF1 that presented with chronic pelvic pain and heavy menstrual bleeding.

A Review of Clinical Guidelines on the Management of Iron Deficiency and Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Women with Heavy Menstrual Bleeding.

INTRODUCTION: Up to one-third of women of reproductive age experience heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB). HMB can give rise to iron deficiency (ID) and, in severe cases, iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). AIM: To review current guidelines for the management of HMB, with regards to screening for anemia, measuring iron levels, and treating ID/IDA with iron replacement therapy and non-iron-based treatments. METHODS: The literature was searched for English-language guidelines relating to HMB published between 2010 and 2020, using the PubMed database, web searching, and retrieval of clinical guidelines from professional societies. RESULTS: Overall, 55 guidelines mostly originating from North America and Europe were identified and screened. Twenty-two were included in this review, with the majority (16/22) focusing on guidance to screen women with HMB for anemia. The guidance varied with respect to identifying symptoms, the criteria for testing, and diagnostic hemoglobin levels for ID/IDA. There was inconsistency concerning screening for ID, with 11/22 guidelines providing no recommendations for measurement of iron levels and four contrasting guidelines explicitly advising against initial assessment of iron levels. In terms of treatment, 8/22 guidelines provided guidance on iron therapy, with oral iron administration generally recommended as first-line treatment for ID and/or IDA. Four guidelines recommended intravenous iron administration for severe anemia, in non-responders, or before surgery. Three guidelines provided hemoglobin thresholds for choosing between oral or intravenous iron treatment. Four guidelines discussed the use of transfusion for severe IDA. CONCLUSION: Many of the guidelines for managing HMB recognize the importance of treating anemia, but there is a lack of consensus in relation to screening for ID and use of iron therapy. Consequently, ID/IDA associated with HMB is likely to be underdiagnosed and undertreated. A consensus guidance, covering all aspects of screening and management of ID/IDA in women with HMB, is needed to optimize health outcomes in these patients.

Women who bleed heavily during menstruation are at risk of iron deficiency and anemia. This can have a negative effect on the well-being of women and can cause serious complications after surgery. Iron is an important part of the hemoglobin in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. Bleeding causes iron to be lost from the body. If there is heavy blood loss, iron stores in the body can become low, leading to iron deficiency. If the iron deficiency is severe enough to impair red blood cell production, iron-deficiency anemia can develop. We reviewed the current guidelines for the care of women with heavy menstrual bleeding, focusing on the detection and treatment of iron deficiency and anemia. Most guidelines include routine testing for anemia. Fewer guidelines consider measuring iron levels. Not all the guidelines include advice on the best way to treat iron deficiency and anemia. For those that do, the recommendations vary and sometimes offer conflicting advice. There is little agreement on when to give iron therapy, and whether this should be given by mouth or by infusion. A lack of clear guidance on detecting and treating iron deficiency and anemia caused by heavy menstrual bleeding puts women at risk of being undiagnosed and untreated. To address these concerns, the authors recommend the development of consensus guidelines. These should contain comprehensive recommendations on all aspects of the diagnosis and management of iron deficiency and anemia in women with heavy menstrual bleeding.

Symptoms of Adenomyosis and Overlapping Diseases.

To summarize and update our current knowledge regarding adenomyosis diagnosis, prevalence, and symptoms. Systematic review of PubMed between January 1972 and April 2020. Search strategy included: "adenomyosis [MeSH Terms] AND (endometriosis[MeSH Term OR prevalence study [MeSH Terms] OR dysmenorrhea[Text Word] OR prevalence[Text Word] OR young adults [Text Word] OR adolesce* [Text Word] OR symptoms[Text Word] OR imaging diagnosis [Text Word] OR pathology[Text Word]. Articles published in English that addressed adenomyosis and discussed prevalence, diagnosis, and symptoms were included. Included articles described: pathology diagnosis, imaging, biopsy diagnosis, prevalence and age of onset, symptoms, and concomitant endometriosis. Sixteen articles were included in the qualitative analysis. The studies are heterogeneous when diagnosing adenomyosis with differing criteria, protocols, and patient populations. Prevalence estimates range from 20% to 88.8% in symptomatic women (average 30-35%) with most diagnosed between 32-38 years old. The correlation between imaging and pathology continues to evolve. As imaging advances, newer studies report younger symptomatic women are being diagnosed with adenomyosis based on both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS). High rates of concomitant endometriosis create challenges when discerning the etiology of pelvic pain. Symptoms that are historically attributed to endometriosis may actually be caused by adenomyosis. Adenomyosis remains a challenge to identify, assess and research because of the lack of standardized diagnostic criteria, especially in women who wish to retain their uterus. As noninvasive diagnostics such as imaging and myometrial biopsies continue to improve, younger women with variable symptoms will likely create criteria for diagnosis with adenomyosis. The priority should be to create standardized histopathological and imaging diagnoses to gain deeper understandings of adenomyosis.

Herlyn-Werner-Wünderlich syndrome: An unusual case with presentation of menorrhagia.

OBJECTIVE: Herlyn-Werner-Wünderlich (HWW) syndrome is a rare condition in which patients present with a palpable pelvic mass and pain caused by an obstructed hemivagina. Here we present a case of HWW syndrome characterized by prolonged menstrual bleeding. CASE REPORT: A 19-year-old nonsexually active unmarried women experienced irregular menstrual cycles and menorrhagia. The duration of menstrual bleeding was 10-14 days. She also suffered from mild dysmenorrhea since menarche at the age of 13. Transabdominal sonography revealed a double uterus and a heterogeneous myoma-mimicking mass over the left cervical region. The left kidney was absent. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a double uterus, a double vagina with an unperforated left hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis. The patient underwent cervicovaginal orifice reconstruction surgery. CONCLUSION: Left hematocolpos compression, a partially obstructed right vaginal channel, and an orifice with local venous drainage abnormalities resulted in prolonged menstrual bleeding. In HWW syndrome, the occurrence of a pelvic mass and pain is common; however, prolonged menstrual bleeding is rare.

Central retinal vein occlusion secondary to severe iron-deficiency anaemia resulting from a plant-based diet and menorrhagia: a case presentation.

In this case presentation, we present a young vegan patient who developed a CRVO secondary to severe iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) attributable to menstrual losses and limited iron intake. CRVO is a rare complication of IDA.With rising calls for sustainable diets and rising evidence for a plant-based diet, there has been a rise in popularity of such diet forms. While there are ocular benefits from this diet trend, the potential for nutritional deficiencies including iron needs to be monitored especially in susceptible individuals. Iron is essential for retina metabolism and function; however, excess iron contributes to disease states in the eye. Therefore, supplementation needs to be judicious.

Pictorial methods to assess heavy menstrual bleeding in research and clinical practice: a systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND: Pictorial blood loss assessment charts (PBACs) represent the most widely used method to assess menstrual blood loss (MBL) in clinical trials. The aims of this review were to: (1) determine the diagnostic accuracy of PBACs that have been validated against the reference alkaline hematin technique; (2) categorize the pitfalls of using obsolete and nonvalidated charts; (3) provide guidelines for development of a new PBAC or use of an existing chart to measure MBL in clinical trials; and (4) consider the feasibility of using pictorial charts in primary care. METHODS: A literature review was conducted using Embase and MEDLINE databases. The review identified reports of women with self-perceived or actual heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), bleeding disorders, abnormal uterine bleeding, leiomyomata (uterine fibroids) or endometriosis, and women undergoing treatment for HMB, as well as those with normal menstrual periods. Data were reviewed from studies that focused on the development and validation of PBACs and from those that used derivative noncertified charts to assess HMB. RESULTS: Nine studies reported validation of PBAC scoring systems against the alkaline hematin technique. Across these studies, the sensitivity was 58-97%, the specificity was 7.5-95.5%, the positive and negative likelihood ratios were 1.1-13.8 and 0.14-0.56, respectively, and the diagnostic odds ratio was 2.6-52.4. The cut-off score above which the diagnosis of HMB was made ranged from 50 to 185. Several modifications of these PBACs were used in other studies; however, objective confirmation of their validity was not reported. Overall, there was widespread inconsistency of chart design, scoring systems, diagnostic cut-off limits and post-treatment outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: PBACs are best suited to the controlled and specific environment of clinical studies, where clinical outcome parameters are defined. The current lack of standardization precludes widespread use of the PBAC in primary care. REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews: CRD42016030083.

New Sonographic Classification of Adenomyosis: Do Type and Degree of Adenomyosis Correlate to Severity of Symptoms?

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To correlate the type and degree of adenomyosis, scored through a new system based on the features of transvaginal sonography, to patients' symptoms and fertility. DESIGN: This is a multicenter, observational, prospective study. SETTING: Two endometriosis tertiary referral centers (University of Rome "Tor Vergata" and University of Siena). PATIENTS: A total of 108 patients with ultrasonographic signs of adenomyosis. INTERVENTIONS: A new ultrasonographic scoring system designed to assess the severity and the extent of uterine adenomyosis was used to stage the disease in correlation with the clinical symptoms. Menstrual uterine bleeding was assessed by a pictorial blood loss analysis chart, painful symptoms were evaluated using a visual analog scale, and infertility factors were considered. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 108 patients with ultrasonographic signs of adenomyosis (mean age ± standard deviation, 37.7 ± 7.7 years) were classified according to the proposed scoring system. Women with ultrasound diagnosis of diffuse adenomyosis were older (p = .04) and had heavier menstrual bleeding (p = .04) than women with focal disease; however, no statistically significant differences were found regarding the presence and severity of dyspareunia and dysmenorrhea. Higher values of menstrual bleeding were found for severe diffuse adenomyosis, with the highest values being found in those with adenomyomas. In patients trying to conceive, the presence of ultrasound findings of focal disease was associated with a higher percentage of infertility than in those with diffuse disease, and the focal involvement of the junctional zone showed a higher percentage of at least 1 miscarriage than in those with diffuse adenomyosis. CONCLUSION: The ultrasonographic evaluation of the type and extension of adenomyosis in the myometrium seems to be important in correlation to the severity of symptoms and infertility.