Study objective: To determine the usefulness of the pictorial blood assessment chart (PBAC) for use as a valid screening tool for menorrhagia in adolescents.
Study design: To conduct a prospective survey paired with retrospective chart review.
Main outcome measures: To determine mean PBAC scores among adolescents presenting with menorrhagia versus normal or infrequent cycles. To determine the PBAC scores among adolescents self-identifying as having heavy, normal, or light menses.
Results: Seventy-three subjects met criteria. Teens self-identified as having "light," "medium," or "heavy" cycles. Groups were then subdivided: Group 1 "heavy menses," Group 2 "normal menses," and Group 3 "light menses." The mean age of menarche was similar in all groups: 11.59 ± 1.56 years, 11.41 ± 1.51 years, 11.78 ± .83 years in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The mean PBAC score for the cohort was 195, while the mean PBAC in Group 1 was 362, compared to 136 and 44 for Groups 2 and 3, respectively ( p < .002).
Conclusions: This is the first study to address the use of the PBAC in an adolescent population. In addition, this study evaluates mean PBAC scores among teens who self-identify as having heavy, normal, or light periods. The incidence of bleeding disorders among those with menorrhagia was 20%, consistent with previously published studies.