Diagnostic hysteroscopy is a better method for diagnosis and management of abnormal uterine bleeding than traditional methods – An Indian perspective

Introduction: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is one of the common problems affecting at least one fourth women in reproductive age group. Currently transabdominal and transvaginal sonography is the most commonly used primary screening modality, whereas uterine dilatation and curettage (D&C) is most the commonly used technique for diagnosis and obtain uterine biopsy. However they have various disadvantages. Diagnostic hysteroscopy and biopsy is gradually emerging as the gold standard for AUB. This study evaluates the role of hysteroscopy in diagnosing various intrauterine pathologies. Materials and methods: This study was a hospital record based retrospective observational study. Data of 172 patients who underwent hysteroscopy for AUB were included and hysteroscopic diagnosis was compared with final histopathology to find out the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of hysteroscopy for diagnosing various common intrauterine pathology. Results: Results show that hysteroscopy has high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of intrauterine pathology. The study results are in concordance with the findings in few other similar studies. Conclusion: The authors recommend preferring use of this technique over traditional D&C for both diagnostic and therapeutic indications in AUB. Keywords: metrorrhagia, hysteroscopy; uterine; dilatation; curettage