Women suffering from suspected endometriosis could soon see an end to years of diagnostic uncertainty, thanks to the approval of two new "game-changer" tests for use in GP surgeries.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has given the green light for EndoSure and Endotest to be used on the NHS, aiming to drastically reduce the average nine-year wait for a diagnosis of the debilitating condition.
Endotest involves a saliva sample, which is then analysed in a laboratory for specific biological markers called microRNAs, indicating the presence of endometriosis.
EndoSure detects the condition by measuring electrical signals within the gut. The non-invasive procedure uses sensor pads placed on the abdomen, requiring patients to fast for six to eight hours beforehand and consume water for 45 minutes during the test.
Endometriosis is a painful condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other parts of the body. It affects approximately one in 10 women of reproductive age across the UK.
The new draft recommendation approves the two tests for three years in the NHS, during which time additional evidence will be collected on how well they work. Final approval could then be given.
