Monash researchers’ rebuttal about PCOS overdiagnosis in MJA

Professor Helena Teede

A recent BMJ commentary proposed that Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a common and distressing condition affected reproductive aged women, is over-diagnosed.

Monash University and Monash Health researchers Dr Melanie Gibson and Professor Helena Teede from the Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation published a rebuttal article last week in the Medical Journal of Australia, along with patients affected by the condition, arguing that the commentary ignored the extensive evidence on PCOS prevalence, delayed diagnosis, complications and PCOS related distress. 

“We have demonstrated that there is no direct evidence that PCOS is over-diagnosed, rather there is substantive literature that PCOS is under-recognised,” Professor Teede said.

“We have compelling evidence that delayed diagnosis and inadequate information provision can be distressing for affected women.”

The research team also outlined an international initiative to improve PCOS diagnosis and outcomes, including a new statewide service of excellence starting at Monash Health in the near future.

Read full article here”  https://www.doctorportal.com.au/mjainsight/2017/35/pcos-overdiagnosis-claim-not-based-on-evidence/

Associations of Vitamin D with Inter- and Intra-Muscular Adipose Tissue and Insulin Resistance in Women with and without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

David Scott et al. published in Nutrients.

Read article here.

Factors affecting implementation of perinatal mental health screening in women of refugee background

Jacqueline Boyle et al. published in Implementation Science.

Read article here.

Career advancement: Meeting the challenges confronting the next generation of endocrinologists and endocrine researchers.

Helena Teede, Peter Ebeling Melanie Gibson-Helm et al. published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Read article here.

MCHRI researchers visit the UK

Researchers from the Monash Centre for Health Research Implementation (MCHRI) have recently returned from the Oxford Foundation International Health Conference “Improving Health and Health Services Through Research”, King’s College London having won a prize for the best abstract submitted to the conference.

Dr Melanie Gibson-Helm and Dr Jacqueline Boyle from MCHRI’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Refugee Women’s Health Research Program each presented their research about improving pregnancy care. Their collaborative project with Monash Health, “From Paper to Practice: Implementation of evidence based screening for mental health in pregnancy in refugee women” won Best Abstract.

Dr Gibson-Helm said that meetings with research teams from Newcastle University, the Imperial College of London, University College of London, Oxford University and Bristol University have already led to several new and exciting collaborations.

Monash research to improve pregnancy care for at-risk populations in Australia

Dr Gibson-Helm

Three different at-risk populations with evidence of poor pregnancy outcomes are the focus of Dr Melanie Gibson-Helm’s research program, funded by an NHMRC Early Career Fellowship.

In collaboration with Monash Health clinicians and Monash University researchers Dr Jacqueline Boyle and Professor Helena Teede, Dr Gibson-Helm from the Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI) leads research aiming to improve pregnancy care for women of refugee background, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

“There is considerable evidence that women in these populations can experience poorer health than the general population, are at greater risk of long-term health problems, and may not receive the health care they need,” said Dr Gibson-Helm.

MCHRI, a partnership between Monash University and Monash Health, is the only Centre in Australia with dedicated women’s public health research programs in refugee health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and PCOS.

Dr Gibson-Helm said high-quality and appropriate pregnancy care is of particular importance for women who may have poor general health, experience barriers accessing health care generally or may benefit from support to change health behaviours.

“Pregnancy is a period of frequent contact with a level of health care not typically accessed otherwise and is also an opportune time to initiate lifestyle change.”

One study in this program that recently received a Monash University Faculty Strategic Grant and Monash Health seed funding aims to address a current gap in pregnancy care delivery in Victoria by designing, implementing and evaluating a mental health screening program in pregnancy for women of refugee background.

“A key gap we have previously identified is a lack of screening and facilitated referral pathways for diagnosis and management of anxiety and depression in pregnancy, despite screening being part of recommended pregnancy care for all women in Australia.”

“Under-recognition of anxiety or depression may mean that women do not receive the support and treatment they need and this is a challenge for many health services in Australia.”

 “Providing high-quality, appropriate pregnancy care can be complex, but also presents a vital opportunity to improve both short and long-term wellbeing of women and their babies,” added Dr Gibson-Helm.

Dr Gibson-Helm’s project will be conducted at Monash Health and was co-developed by a multidisciplinary team of researchers and clinicians at MCHRI, Monash Women's Maternity Services, Monash Refugee Health and Wellbeing and the Monash University Centre for Developmental Psychiatry & Psychology.