Overview
- NICE published draft guidance this week that allows EndoSure and Endotest to be used in primary care on the NHS for up to three years while evidence on their accuracy and impact is collected.
- Endotest uses a saliva sample to detect microRNA markers linked to endometriosis and returns laboratory results to the clinician, while EndoSure records electrical signals from the gut with abdominal sensor pads during a 45‑minute test.
- NICE says both technologies are intended to support diagnosis and referral where endometriosis is still suspected despite normal exams or inconclusive imaging, and they must not be used as standalone confirmatory tests.
- Separately, a University of Edinburgh study reported a distinct androgen 'hormone fingerprint' that identified cases in the study cohort with high accuracy, but researchers say larger validation trials and commercial development are needed before a blood test or new therapies can reach patients.
- Patient reports show quicker results and swifter referrals in some local rollouts, but clinicians warn rollout will require GP training, wider availability, further evidence across diverse populations and careful planning to avoid widening existing diagnostic inequalities.