Assessment of menstrual blood loss using a pictorial chart: a validation study

Objective To assess the accuracy of a pictorial blood Loss assessment chart (PBAC) as a method for estimating menstrual blood loss in women complainin g of heavy periods. Design A prospective analysis of 103 consecutive women complaining of exces sive menstrual blood lass. Population Women recruited into an on-going study of menstrual blood loss i n a large district general hospital. Main outcome measures Correlation between pictorial assessment: of blood lo ss and actual measured menstrual blood loss. Results There was poor correlation between observed PBAC score and menstrua l blood loss. Conclusion We have not been able to validate previously published work. The pictorial assessment chart offers no significant improvement in the qualit y of objective diagnosis in women complaining of menorrhagia.