Specific and unspecific gynecological alarm symptoms--prevalence estimates in different age groups: a population-based study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine prevalence estimates of gynecological alarm symptoms in different age groups and to describe common patterns of gynecological symptoms.


METHODS
Web-based cross-sectional survey study.


METHODS
Nationwide in Denmark.


METHODS
A random sample of 51,090 women aged 20 years or above from the general population.


METHODS
An internet-based questionnaire study regarding the prevalence estimates of symptom experiences. A total of 18 symptoms of cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancer were selected through an extensive literature search, which included national and international guidelines.


METHODS
Prevalence estimates of self-reported experience of gynecological alarm symptoms within the preceding 4 weeks.


RESULTS
A total of 26,466 women (54.5%) participated in the study. Some 80.3% had experienced at least one of the alarm symptoms within the preceding 4 weeks, and the median number of experienced symptoms was 2 (interquartile range 1-4). The most common symptoms were tiredness (53.0%) and abdominal bloating (36.7%); postmenopausal bleeding (2.3%) and involuntary weight loss (2.8%) were least frequent. Most of the symptoms were more prevalent among younger women, whereas only dyspnea and increased urgency of urination were more frequent among older women. Among younger women, multiple abdominal symptoms often occurred simultaneously and frequently in combination with pelvic pain, whereas older women were more likely to report single symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Gynecological alarm symptoms are frequent in the general population, mostly among younger women. Older women reported fewer symptoms, and these often appeared as single symptoms.
Research Unit of General Practice, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
Kirubakaran
K
Balasubramaniam
Pernille
P
Ravn
Pia V
PV
Larsen
Jens
J
Søndergaard
Dorte E
DE
Jarbøl
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology; D015431:Weight Loss
Symptoms; general population; gynecological cancer; self-reported; symptom patterns