Dr Jordan Tewhaiti-Smith
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MBChB PGDipOMG
O & G Training Registrar, Canterbury District, Te Whatu Ora; Research Fellow, Medical Research Institute of New Zealand Jordan is a current training registrar in O&G in Christchurch. He comes from a background of research alongside a busy clinical position and passion for hauora Māori, and more recently within the realms of women’s health. He has conducted multiple projects and is supported by his employment with MRINZ to do so. He is involved with multiple organisations, such as specialty trainees of New Zealand as Vice president, and the sits on the committee for the Lancet Standing Commission for adolescent health and wellbeing. Jordans current goals are to carve out a niche within the ever dwindling dedication from the public service to women’s health, and more currently, endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain.
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Impact of CPP, A National Survey of Impact and Diagnostic Delay for Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain
Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and endometriosis cause significant and severe symptoms which may cause functional disability or require medical intervention. CPP affects up to 26% of women worldwide and there remains diagnostic delay (DD) for endometriosis globally. There is limited data in Aotearoa outlining the effect CPP has on women and DD to diagnosis for endometriosis. Aim: To determine the impact that CPP and endometriosis had on quality-of-life measures pertaining to symptoms, DD and impact on women’s social, sexual, romantic, work, and education. A nationwide online survey was undertaken consisting of a 99-question validated questionnaire, adapted from previous research in Australia and elsewhere. Analysis was undertaken to inform the impact of CPP on women in Aotearoa and the length of DD for endometriosis. 800 responses were received, 620 reported endometriosis and 180 reporting CPP. Respondents reported that CPP (regardless of diagnosis) affected them significantly with severe dysmenorrhea affecting more than 85% of both groups. Negative impact was reported over all assessed domains in both groups. DD was over eight years from symptom onset to diagnosis (endometriosis group). This supports need for further research and intervention to support women with endometriosis and CPP with an emphasis on CPP.
