title: Utility of the PALM-COEIN classification of abnormal uterine bleeding for Indian gynecologists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the clinical utility of the PALM-COEIN classification for abnormal uterine bleeding in day-to-day practice in India.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between April and November 2014, a cross-sectional survey was undertaken of gynecologists practicing in Chittoor and Nellore. Doctors possessing a postgraduate degree in gynecology and obstetrics, and postgraduate students in the gynecology department of medical colleges were invited to participate. A validated questionnaire containing 15 questions was distributed, the opinions were collated, and the results analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 150 invited gynecologists, 120 agreed to participate, and 119 completed the survey fully. Overall, 95 (79.8%) respondents were aware of the classification, and 56 (47.1%) responded that the PALM-COEIN system is very good, 46 (38.7%) that it is average, and 17 (14.3%) that it is poor. By subgroup, 16 of 20 (80.0%) faculty members, 46 of 56 (82.1%) postgraduate students, and 33 of 43 (76.7%) practitioners responded that the system is useful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Indian doctors generally believe that the PALM-COEIN system is clinically useful and a step forward in the management of abnormal uterine bleeding.
authors.affiliation: Government Maternity Hospital, Sri Venkateswara Medical College, Tirupati, India. Electronic address: dr.bandi.nirmala@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nirmala D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Bandi
authors.affiliation: Government Maternity Hospital, Sri Venkateswara Medical College, Tirupati, India.
authors.forename: Chandrasekharan P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Arumugam
authors.affiliation: Jubilee Hospital, A.C. Subba Reddy Medical College, Nellore, India.
authors.forename: Meenakumari R N
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Venkata
authors.affiliation: Nirmala Hospital, Tirupati, India.
authors.forename: Lahari
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nannam
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D012955:Societies, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Abnormal uterine bleeding; Clinical utility; Etiology; PALM-COEIN classification