The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has approved two rapid tests for endometriosis, EndoSure and Endotest, for use on the NHS in England and Wales. The decision, announced on Tuesday, is expected to dramatically cut the average diagnosis time of nine years and four months for women with the condition.
How the Tests Work
Endotest requires a saliva sample, which is sent to a lab to detect microRNAs, biological markers indicating endometriosis. Results are returned to the GP or healthcare professional within days. EndoSure uses sensor pads on the abdomen to measure electrical signals in the gut; patients fast for six to eight hours and drink water during the 45-minute test, with results available immediately.
Impact on Patients
One in 10 women of reproductive age are affected by endometriosis, where tissue similar to the womb lining grows elsewhere, causing painful periods, bowel movements, urination, and pain during or after sex. Current diagnostics include ultrasound, MRI, or invasive laparoscopy, leading to delays that exacerbate suffering. Dr Anastasia Chalkidou, Nice's healthtech programme director, said: "A diagnosis of endometriosis can for some women take the best part of a decade, with the UK average standing at nine years and four months, and rising to 11 years for those from ethnically diverse communities."
Approval and Next Steps
The draft recommendation approves the tests for three years, during which further evidence on effectiveness will be collected. Nice will then decide on permanent NHS use. A third test, DotEndo, requires more research before approval. The tests are intended for women with suspected endometriosis after normal clinical exams and negative or inconclusive imaging, or where imaging was not used.
Expert Reactions
Dr Gail Busby, a consultant gynaecologist at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, called the tests a "gamechanger" because they provide answers earlier without invasive surgery. Emma Cox of Endometriosis UK welcomed the tests but stressed the need for GP and nurse education to ensure prompt access and recognition of symptoms.
