Validation of the Menstrual Bleeding Questionnaire (MBQ) cut-off point capable of discriminating the presence of abnormal uterine bleeding and assessing the response to treatment

• Grant number: 22/15166-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2023
• End date: January 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Cristina Laguna Benetti Pinto
• Grantee: Larissa Mansano de Souza
• Host Institution: Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher (CAISM). Hospital da Mulher Professor Doutor José Aristodemo Pinotti. Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is defined as changes in blood flow from the uterine body in regularity, volume, frequency or duration. This menstrual irregularity represents the first cause of demand for gynecological care. The Menstrual Bleeding Questionnaire (MBQ) is an instrument that assesses four main domains: quantity ("heaviness"); pain, irregularity and quality of life, providing a score in which the higher the score, the more negative the impact of bleeding on quality of life. Objectives: To describe the series of women with and without abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) of reproductive age in relation to personal, clinical and MBQ and PBAC questionnaire variables and to assess the internal consistency of the MBQ questionnaire, to compare the MBQ score among women with and without abnormal uterine bleeding and validate a cut-off point for discrimination between the 2 groups (with and without AUB). Patients and Methods: A prospective cohort study, with a cross-sectional part, in which women with AUB who receive treatment will be reassessed. The women recruited will be outpatients of Family Planning, Menorrhagia, Surgical Gynecology and Genital Infections, of reproductive age. Women aged between 18 and 50 who menstruate will be included. The exclusion criteria were: women who have already experienced menopause, with cognitive incapacity to understand the instruments to be used, pregnant women, who are breastfeeding. All women included in the survey answered three questionnaires: Sociodemographic Form and Personal Data Questionnaire, Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Questionnaire, MBQ and Pictorial Blood Assessment Chart (PBAC).