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NOVEMBER 2007
The World Endometriosis Research Foundation
(WERF) has secured funding for its first international
multi-centre study. The aim of the study is to develop
a symptom-based questionnaire to predict the presence
of endometriosis – a study of this scale
has never been undertaken before.
Endometriosis affects tens of millions
of women across the globe. It is a major cause of pelvic
pain and infertility in women. Yet, the disease is poorly
understood, most treatments have unpleasant side effects,
and there is no cure.
Lead investigator and World Endometriosis
Research Foundation trustee, Mr Stephen Kennedy, Head
of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Oxford
University, says: “The World Endometriosis Research
Foundation recognises that one of the most pressing
issues in endometriosis is the delay between symptom onset
and a surgical diagnosis. In some health care settings
this extends to 11 years”.
“To be able to treat endometriosis
properly, we need to recognise and understand the symptoms
of the disease better and earlier”, says Mr Kennedy.
The aim of this study is to develop and
then validate a symptom-based questionnaire, which reliably
and accurately predicts whether a woman has endometriosis
or not. “A tool, which can help provide an early
diagnosis resulting in women receiving the appropriate
treatment sooner, may prevent unnecessary pain for millions
of women worldwide”, predicts Mr Kennedy.
“The current delay in diagnosis
and treatment contributes to years of suffering and potential
infertility, if the disease is left untreated”,
says Mr Kennedy. “Although there is no cure for
endometriosis at present, delaying treatment because symptoms
are not recognised or acknowledged is simply not acceptable”.
This study has been made possible by
research funding from TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc.
The study will be overseen by the World Endometriosis
Research Foundation, which has assembled a unique consortium
of researchers around the world to conduct this study,
some of whom form part of a World Health Organisation
(WHO) Clinical Trials Network. The study will be designed
and coordinated by the University of Oxford in collaboration
with TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc.
Early results are expected to be announced
during the third quarter of 2009.
 Women's Health Symptoms Study (WHSS)
More about endometriosisis
More about WERF
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