A Review on the Outcome of Patient Managed in Postmenopausal Bleeding Clinic

Plain-language summary

Postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) is a common gynaecological complaint, accounting for up to 5 to 10 % of postmenopausal women being referred to gynaecological outpatient clinic. It also comprised of up to 10% of our outpatient gynaecological referral. In general, 60 % of women with postmenopausal bleeding have no organic causes identified, whilst benign causes of PMB includes atrophic vaginitis, endometrial polyp, submucosal fibroid and functional endometrium. However, between 5.7 to 11.5% of women with postmenopausal bleeding have endometrial carcinoma, which is the fourth most common cancer among women, therefore, it is important to investigate carefully to exclude genital tract cancer. A One-stop postmenopausal bleeding clinic has been established since February, 2002 by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, New Territories East cluster (NTEC) aiming at providing immediate assessment of women with postmenopausal bleeding in one single outpatient clinic assessment. During the visit, a detailed history was taken in regarding the PMB and usage of hormonal replacement therapy or herbal medicine. A physical examination was performed and a cervical smear was taken if not been taken within a year. Transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) was then performed to measure the endometrial thickness (ET), examining ovaries then followed by an endometrial sampling. An outpatient hysteroscopy was performed only if TVS showed an ET \>= 5mm, or an abnormal endometrial appearance or unsatisfactory ET. Benign looking endometrial polyp would be removed during the outpatient hysteroscopy if possible. At the moment, there was very limited local data and lack of the long term result. Investigators aim to retrospectively evaluate the clinical outcome of postmenopausal bleeding patients who has attended One Stop Postmenopausal Clinic in order to formulate better care and counseling in future. Objectives: 1. To analyze histopathology in relative to history and ultrasound findings in PMB women presented to One Stop Postmenopausal Bleeding Clinic at NTEC 2. To correlate the clinical findings of transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) with outpatient hysteroscopy and endometrial assessment in The One Stop Postmenopausal Bleeding Clinic 3. To identify predictive and prognostic factors in women with PMB for possible use in triaging high risk patients

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