Instruments to Identify Menstrual Complaints and Their Impact on Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Effects of Therapeutic Taping on Clinical Symptoms of Students with Primary Dysmenorrhea

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a prevalent gynecologic condition affecting young females, characterized by cyclic, cramping pelvic pain with no organic pathology. It can significantly impact their quality of life and academic performance. This study aimed to determine the effect of therapeutic taping on the clinical symptoms, quality of life, and academic performance of students with PD.

DESIGN

This was a single-blind, parallel design, randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

The study was conducted from May to September 2023 at a girls' hostel in Islamabad, Pakistan.

PARTICIPANTS

Women aged 18-25 years with PD and pain severity rated 4 or higher on a visual analogue scale (VAS) were recruited. Those with other health conditions and having an allergy to Kinesio tape (KT) were excluded from the study.

INTERVENTION

A total of 66 women completed the study. They were randomly assigned to 3 groups: experimental (KT), sham tape (ST), and control group (CG). KT was applied to the suprapubic and sacral regions using the ligament technique in the KT group and without stretch in the ST group. Assessments were taken at baseline and on the 8th and 12th weeks.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The study tools were the VAS, Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire, health-related quality of life questionnaire (SF-36), and Academic Performance Questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS-25.

RESULTS

The participants' mean age (years) was 22.04 ± 2.13 (KT), 22.35 ± 3.11 (ST), and 23 ± 2.52 (CG). Between-group analysis showed a statistically significant difference in the VAS (P < .05) and Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (P < .01) scores after the 12th week of intervention, the difference in the Academic Performance Questionnaire score was statistically significant (P < .01) on the 8th and 12th weeks. Similarly, the SF-36 score was significantly different for both the physical (P < .001) and mental (P < .05) component summary between the intervention groups.

CONCLUSION

KT is an effective intervention option for pain reduction, menstrual symptom relief, and improved academic performance for individuals with PD.

Evaluation of menstrual blood loss (MBL) by self-perception and pictorial methods and correlation to uterine myometrial pathology

PURPOSE

Evaluating menstrual blood loss (MBL) in primary healthcare is challenging. Our study aimed to assess MBL using two methods: self-perception and pictograms (Pictorial Blood Assessment Chart-PBAC and Menstrual Pictogram superabsorbent polymer-c version-MP) in women undergoing transvaginal ultrasound (TVS).

METHODS

We enrolled 221 premenopausal women with spontaneous menstruation, no hormonal therapy, and no ongoing pregnancy. They were divided into four age groups (12-20, 21-30, 31-40, and 41-55 years). Women self-reported normal (NMB) or heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) and filled out PBAC and MP. A PBAC score ≥ 150 and MP score ≥ 80 ml indicated HMB. TVS was conducted on all patients, recording any pelvic pathologies. We compared self-perception with pictograms across the cohort, age groups, and ultrasound findings.

RESULTS

Of the cohort, 50.2% reported normal periods and 49.8% heavy periods. No significant differences were found between self-perception and pictograms in identifying NMB and HMB across all groups. However, significant differences were observed between PBAC and MP scores for NMB (56.1% vs 41.2%, p = 0.001) and HMB (43.9% vs 58.8%, p = 0.001), particularly in the 31-40 age group. Significant differences in PBAC and MP scores were noted between age groups 12-20 and 41-55, and 31-40 and 41-55. No significant differences were found between self-perception and pictograms regarding ultrasound findings like adenomyosis, fibroids, endometrial pathology, and uterine congenital malformations.

CONCLUSION

Self-perception could be a reliable method for describing MBL across all age groups and ultrasound findings. Given the complexity and potential errors in using pictograms, clinicians should consider relying on self-perception for assessing menstrual cycle quantity.

Outcomes and outcome measures

INTRODUCTION

Advances in haemophilia treatment have resulted in a near-normal life expectancy, lower burden of bleeding and treatment, and improved quality of life in high-income countries. Bleeding rate is approaching zero and novel parameters should be evaluated to assess the efficacy of treatment not only from the clinical point of view by using new methodologies (e.g. joint health assessment), but also from the patient's perspective (e.g. pain, quality of life, treatment satisfaction).

METHODS AND RESULTS

This approach should be aimed at combining objective clinical methodologies and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). However, some instruments used for assessing PROs are still suboptimal and not properly validated. Recent evidence suggests that these tools can take advantage from a more personalized designed approach and could be effectively improved and serve to facilitate the patient's self-evaluation. For other congenital bleeding disorders (BDs), a set of patient-relevant outcomes has been also defined that overlap substantially those of haemophilia, including bleeding, side effects and complications, and PROs, such as pain, physical functioning, impact on daily life including school and work and mental health. There is a growing focus on addressing women-specific outcomes in BDs, reflecting an increased awareness of the unique challenges faced by women in this context. However, the development of tailored tools is imperative to further advance the progress in managing women with BDs, ensuring more accurate monitoring and personalized care.

CONCLUSIONS

How incorporating these outcome measures in the process of approval of novel treatments for these disorders by regulatory authorities remains to be established.