Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to assess the validity of symptom score and Genital Health Clinical Evaluation (GHCE) score as diagnostic tools for urogenital atrophy in females of 40-75 years of age group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 600 females in the age group of 40-75 years attending gynecology outpatient department was conducted. They were given a symptom score based on their history. GHCE score and smears for vaginal maturation index (VMI) were taken and percentages of superficial cells were counted. Statistical tests of significance such as Karl Pearson's coefficient of correlation were applied. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy of GHCE score, and symptom score with VMI score were calculated. RESULTS: The prevalence of urogenital atrophy in females of 40-75 years of age group using VMI scoring was 38.1%. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of total symptom score for diagnosing urogenital atrophy were 66.4%, 75.3%, 56.3%, 82.4%, and 72.5%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of GHCE score for diagnosing urogenital atrophy were 43.4%, 80.7%, 75.3%, 51.3%, and 59.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Both symptom score and GHCE score can be used as valid alternatives to VMI as diagnostic tools for urogenital atrophy in females of 40-75 years of age group at least in resource-poor settings.