Diagnostic delay of endometriosis in adolescents and improvement for early recognition

Abstract

This literature review is about the challenges in diagnosis adolescents, reasons why it is frequently underrecognized, the impact of delayed recognition, and recommendation for improvement of recognition in this population. A systematic literature electronic database retrieval was conducted to select relevant articles that fulfill the eligibility criteria. Key barriers to timely diagnosis are normalization of menstrual pain, lack of awareness among patients, society and healthcare specialists, atypical symptom presentation and consequently misinterpretation as well as limitations in diagnostic modalities. Findings revealed that delayed diagnosis has an negative impact on physical and mental health, educational life and overall QoL. Early education, destigmatisation, improvement of diagnostic pathways and clinician training as well as research into non-invasive diagnostic tools could potentially reduce delay and improve health outcomes. More research needs to be conducted to improve diagnostic pathways in this young population. This research is important since endometriosis is a common disease often beginning already during adolescence and progressing into adulthood and hence earlier diagnosis could potentially delay progression of the condition and improve health outcomes and quality of life of patients.