An Epworth HealthCare researcher has helped develop a game-changing blood test to diagnose endometriosis.
A/Prof Sarah Holdsworth-Carson, Research Project Manager at the Julia Argyrou Endometriosis Centre at Epworth, said a new, ground-breaking PromarkerEndo blood test had shown remarkable priomise in detecting the debilitating disease, potentially saving patients years of painful and invasive tests for an endometriosis diagnosis.
Scientists from Proteomics International, in collaboration with researchers from the Epworth, Royal Women's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, analysed plasma samples from a study of 805 participants across two independent groups.
The study showed 10 protein biomarkers could distinguish between those with and without endometriosis.
"This minimally invasive blood test is a game changer in the diagnosis of endometriosis," A/Prof Holdsworth-Carson said.
"Currently, women and people experiencing symptoms of endometriosis endure painful bouts of the disease and need to undergo rigorous, lengthy and invasive tests. History shows it has taken an average of seven years to receive a diagnosis, and at the same time the disease may be worsening as the years tickby and the endometriosis spreads.
"This blood test has the potential to make that diagnosis within days, rather than years. An opportunity to diagnose endometriosis earlier could markedly increase treatment options and provide relief for those suffering."
Endometriosis affects one in nine women and girls in Australia. It is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing severe pelvic pain, painful periods and infertility. There is no known cure.
Epworth runs several clinical trials to research treatments into endometriosis to determine better treatment options, investigate side effects of treatments and improve patient outcomes.
