Pictorial methods to assess heavy menstrual bleeding in research and clinical practice: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Pictorial blood loss assessment charts (PBACs) represent the most widely used method to assess menstrual blood loss (MBL) in clinical trials. The aims of this review were to: (1) determine the diagnostic accuracy of PBACs that have been validated against the reference alkaline hematin technique; (2) categorize the pitfalls of using obsolete and nonvalidated charts; (3) provide guidelines for development of a new PBAC or use of an existing chart to measure MBL in clinical trials; and (4) consider the feasibility of using pictorial charts in primary care.

Citation

(2020). Pictorial methods to assess heavy menstrual bleeding in research and clinical practice: a systematic literature review. BMC Women's Health, 24 - 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-020-0887-y

• Acceptance Date: Jan 16, 2020
• Publication Date: Feb 10, 2020
• Journal: BMC Women's Health
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Pages: 24 - 24
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-020-0887-y
• Keywords: Menstrual blood loss, Pictorial blood loss assessment chart, Alkaline hematin, Heavy menstrual bleeding, Menstrual pictogram, Abnormal uterine bleeding, Bleeding disorders, Uterine fibroids, Endometriosis
• Publisher URL: http://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-020-0887-y