title: The performance of CA-125 measurement in the detection of endometriosis: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the diagnostic performance of serum CA-125 measurement in the detection of endometriosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Meta-analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three studies comparing serum CA-125 levels and laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum CA-125 measurement and laparoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sensitivity and specificity of serum CA-125 measurement in the diagnosis of endometriosis with laparoscopy as the reference standard.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The estimated summary receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the performance of serum CA-125 measurement in the diagnosis of endometriosis grade I/IV is limited, whereas its performance in the diagnosis of endometriosis grade III/IV is better.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite its limited diagnostic performance, we believe that the routine use of serum CA-125 measurement in patients with infertility might be justified. In contrast to laparoscopy, serum CA-125 measurement is an inexpensive test that is not a burden for the patient. It could identify a subgroup of patients who are more likely to benefit from early laparoscopy. Studies reporting on the mutual dependence between serum CA-125 measurement and data from the history and physical examination are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Joseph Hospital, Veldhoven, The Netherlands. bwmol@knmg.nl
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Mol
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bayram
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Lijmer
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Wiegerinck
authors.forename: M Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Bongers
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van der Veen
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Bossuyt
mesh_terms: D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D012015:Reference Standards; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D018394:CA-125 Antigen