Assessment of menstrual blood loss using a pictorial chart: a validation study.

Abstract

To assess the accuracy of a pictorial blood loss assessment chart (PBAC) as a method for estimating menstrual blood loss in women complaining of heavy periods. A prospective analysis of 103 consecutive women complaining of excessive menstrual blood loss. Women recruited into an on-going study of menstrual blood loss in a large district general hospital. Correlation between pictorial assessment of blood loss and actual measured menstrual blood loss. There was poor correlation between observed PBAC score and menstrual blood loss. We have not been able to validate previously published work. The pictorial assessment chart offers no significant improvement in the quality of objective diagnosis in women complaining of menorrhagia.