The aetiology of postmenopausal bleeding--a study of 163 consecutive cases in Singapore.
OBJECTIVE
To study the aetiology and pattern of Postmenopausal Bleeding (PMB) in the local population.


METHODS
A retrospective study


METHODS
163 consecutive patients who presented with postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) SETTING: Kandang Kerbau Hospital, Singapore


RESULTS
Malignant causes were found in 42 (25.7%) patients. Cervical carcinoma was the most common malignancy (12.9% of the patients) followed by endometrial carcinoma (11%). Important benign causes are cervicitis (12.9%), atrophic vaginitis (12.3%) and cervical polyp (6.7%). Other benign causes include endometrial hyperplasia (3.1%), urethral caruncle (2.5%) and estrogen replacement therapy (1.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
PMB is a symptom of varied aetiologies. The associated incidence of malignancy is high and a thorough diagnostic evaluation is mandatory.
Lee
W H
WH
Department of Maternal Foetal Medicine, Kandang Kerbau Hospital, Singapore.
Tan
K H
KH
Lee
Y W
YW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001284:Atrophy; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000150:complications; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000150:complications; D017698:Postmenopause; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012846:Singapore; D014523:Urethral Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D002575:Uterine Cervicitis / Q000150:complications; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000150:complications