Investigation of anogenital distance as a diagnostic tool in endometriosis

Abstract An association between anogenital distance (AGD) and endometriosis has been reported, suggesting that AGD may be a useful clinical tool in endometriosis. The predictive ability of AGD of women in discriminating presence and type of endometriosis was examined. A case-control study was conducted at the University Hospital ‘Virgen de la Arrixaca', Murcia, Spain, between 2014 and 2015. A total of 114 participants diagnosed with endometriosis using ultrasound findings and 105 controls were recruited. Two AGD measurements were obtained: one from the anterior clitoral surface to the upper verge of the anus (AGD AC ), and another one from the posterior fourchette to the upper verge of the anus (AGD AF ). Parametric and non-parametric tests andreceiver operator characterstic analyses were used to determine relationships between AGD and presence of endometriosis and subgroups (ovarian endometriomas or deep infiltrating endometriosis [DIE]). The AGD AF , but not AGD AC , was associated with presence of endometriomas, DIE ( P -values, AF measurement, with a sensitivity and specificity of 84.4% and 91.4%, respectively. AGD AF can therefore efficiently discriminate the presence of DIE and may be a useful clinical tool.