Abstract
Ovarian cancer often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in the early stages. The present study aimed to validate a modified version of the Goff Symptom Index (GSI) in an Indian population. This prospective case-control study was conducted between July 2010 and June 2012 in a university hospital in Manipal, Karnataka, India. A total of 305 inpatients admitted for ovarian pathology investigations and outpatients undergoing routine gynaecological check-ups were included in the study. The modified GSI (MGSI) was used to investigate the presence, severity, frequency and duration of 10 ovarian cancer symptoms on a scale of 1-5. Four additional symptoms were included with those of the original GSI (two symptoms from a previous MGSI and two new symptoms). Patients were regarded as positive for ovarian cancer if symptoms occurred >12 times per month and time since onset was <1 year. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of ovarian tumours. A total of 13 patients were excluded. The final sample (n = 292) was divided into a test group (n = 74) and a control group (n = 218) based on histopathology. Within the controls, 144 women were found to have benign tumours. The MGSI was positive in 71.6% of the test group as opposed to only 11.5% of the control group. The addition of two symptoms (loss of appetite and weight) to the GSI increased the test's sensitivity from 71.6% to 77% without compromising specificity (88.5%). Based on these findings, the addition of two new symptoms (loss of appetite and weight) to the GSI is proposed in order to increase the test's sensitivity. However, the addition of urinary symptoms to the GSI requires further validation.
Highlights
Ovarian cancer often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in the early stages
A total of 12 patients were excluded from the final analysis as their final histopathology assessments revealed borderline ovarian tumours
The original Goff Symptom Index (GSI) was an effective triage tool in the studied cohort of Indian women and the results supported the value of an ovarian cancer symptom index which can be used among women with nonspecific symptoms
Summary
Abstract: Objectives: Ovarian cancer often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in the early stages. The addition of two symptoms (loss of appetite and weight) to the GSI increased the test’s sensitivity from 71.6% to 77% without compromising specificity (88.5%). Conclusion: Based on these findings, the addition of two new symptoms (loss of appetite and weight) to the GSI is proposed in order to increase the test’s sensitivity. This study emphasises the importance of using a simple index based on the common non-specific symptoms of ovarian cancer. - This study may be a platform for further population-based studies to determine the benefit of this simple index in screening women for early-stage ovarian malignancies. Applications to Patient Care - The modified symptom index was found to be helpful in identifying women with early-stage ovarian cancer among a sample in India. - The identified clusters of non-specific symptoms in the proposed symptom index can assist women in self-screening and help family physicians to make timely patient referrals
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
