Introduction to New Diagnostic Tests for Endometriosis
Ami Robertson, 23, recounts her prolonged wait for an endometriosis diagnosis.
Individuals suspecting they have endometriosis—a painful condition affecting approximately one in ten women—will soon have access to two non-invasive tests through their general practitioners (GPs) to facilitate faster diagnosis.
Experts anticipate these tests will significantly reduce the current average diagnostic delay, which can extend to nine years or more.
One test involves analyzing genetic material from saliva, while the other assesses electrical signals in the gut via sensor pads placed on the abdomen.
Both tests are recommended in new draft guidance for the NHS in England and Wales, to be used alongside regular clinical assessments. The aim is to improve identification of endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the womb.
Years in Pain
Ami Robertson, now 23, experienced symptoms of endometriosis starting at age 16 but was frequently misdiagnosed with other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.
The symptoms of endometriosis are often difficult to distinguish and can overlap with other disorders.
After paying privately for diagnostic tests, Ami finally received confirmation of her condition and subsequently underwent surgery.
"I started to doubt myself, wondering if it was all in my head. No one should have to wait years to be believed."
Sharan Uppal, 46, from Huddersfield, describes the lengthy process to obtain a diagnosis for her 15-year-old daughter, Simran.
"I lost count of how many times I took Simran to the GP. We ended up in A&E three or four times, spending over 10 hours on one occasion, and nobody would take ownership."
They opted to pay for the gut electrical signal test, which returned a strongly positive result.
"It gave me the empowerment to go back to our GP and push for a referral. That test opened doors for us to get Simran the help she needed," she says.
Endosure and Endotest
The saliva-based test, known as Endotest, is currently being utilized in a pilot NHS study. The gut electrical signal test, called Endosure, is part of a clinical study at Worcestershire Acute NHS Hospital Trust.
For the gut test, patients fast for six to eight hours prior and then consume water over 45 minutes during the procedure.
The draft guidance proposes that GPs may begin offering one or both tests to appropriate patients, contingent on availability. However, not all GPs will have immediate access, and administration must be supervised by healthcare professionals experienced in diagnosing and managing endometriosis.
The NHS will continue to collect data to evaluate the effectiveness of these tests.
Neither test is intended to serve as a standalone diagnostic tool but aims to expedite diagnosis and treatment.
Currently, definitive diagnosis on the NHS typically requires laparoscopy, a surgical procedure performed under general anaesthetic.
Emma Cox, chief executive of Endometriosis UK, welcomed the introduction of these tests, stating: "Availability of these new tests needs to go hand-in-hand with education of GPs and practice nurses to ensure prompt access to those that need them, and an end to pain and symptoms not being recognised."
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