Diagnostics
always try to provide corresponding holistic advice and support for patients with PCOS.
Diagnosing PCOS early – changing guidance, new approaches Globally, PCOS is diagnosed using the Rotterdam Criteria, of which any two must be met: l Ovulatory dysfunction l Clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism
l Confirmed presence of polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM)
We tend to rely on the first two criteria to diagnose patients: the presentation of infrequent periods, and signs of hyperandrogenism. But we can enrich this clinical picture with insights gained from diagnostic procedures such as blood
testing and imaging. The third element of the Rotterdam Criteria – a confirmed presence of PCOM – can be determined through either ultrasound, or, thanks to a recent addition to the criteria, by the detection of elevated serum Anti-Müllerian hormone. Using AMH levels to confirm the presence of PCOM means patients don’t have
A blood test can be seamlessly integrated into the diagnostic process: in most cases, clinicians will already be organising blood tests for a range of investigations, and so one additional test doesn’t demand any extra time from the patient. By contrast, ultrasound scans usually require patients to invest time and effort; as a result, ‘did not attend’ rates are as high as 70% in some parts of the country.
RCOG calls for action on women’s health
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has outlined its five calls to action for the new UK government. The RCOG says that women’s health has
historically been left behind, with lack of adequate investment in both services and research, meaning missed opportunities to provide the right information, care and support at the right time across a woman’s life course. The RCOG is calling for:
1. The government to prioritise women’s health and maintain a focus on implementing the Women’s Health Strategy and Women’s Health Hubs in the long term.
2. The government to significantly improve maternity care by implementing fully funded cross-government policies and programmes to ensure all women receive high-quality, personalised and safe maternity care.
3. The Department for Health and Social Care
and NHS England to set up a joint taskforce to address the unique growth in waiting lists in gynaecology.
4. A commitment to parliamentary time for abortion law reform.
5. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to return spending on sexual and reproductive healthcare and rights (SRHR) to pre-cut levels of 5% of the overseas aid budget.
Dr. Ranee Thakar, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: “We are calling for the government to prioritise women’s health focusing on better healthcare access, safety improvements, and reproductive rights. Commitment to the Women’s Health Strategy and the success of Women’s Health Hubs will be key to this. “Sexual and reproductive health should be
a funding priority in both the UK and globally. If women and girls are to be supported to fully
62
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I November 2024
participate in social and political life and make decisions about their own bodies, they must be supported to have access to sexual and reproductive health and rights across the life course. Abortion law reform is essential to protect these rights in the UK, hence why we are asking the new government to commitment to parliamentary time to the matter. “Every woman should receive safe, compassionate and personalised maternity care, timely care for gynaecology conditions and access to sexual and reproductive health services, including abortion. “To prevent burnout among obstetricians and gynaecologists, we are also calling for the government to commit to vital action on workforce retention, flexible working, training and development.” View the full document at: https://brnw.
ch/21wJE4t
to have an additional appointment for an ultrasound, a procedure which, if performed transvaginally, can be uncomfortable and even unsuitable for some patients.1 Now, with the CE-mark approval for Roche Diagnostics’ AMHPlus Immunoassay’s claim extension to detect PCOM, we have the first blood test for PCOS. This could be a game- changer: it offers the possibility of a quicker and more convenient diagnosis than via an ultrasound, which could aid patients with more rapid symptom management. A blood test can be seamlessly integrated
into the diagnostic process: in most cases, clinicians will already be organising blood tests for a range of investigations, and so one additional test doesn’t demand any extra time from the patient. By contrast, ultrasound scans usually require patients to invest time and effort; as a result, ‘did not attend’ rates are as high as 70% in some parts of the country. This can have consequences: we know that patients who do not attend their scan may become lost in the system, experience further
freshidea -
stock.adobe.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
