ATLANTA, July 25,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a pivotal moment for
improving the diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovary
syndrome (PCOS), an important PCOS Stakeholder Meeting is
being held to address the urgent need for better diagnostic
accuracy and health outcomes. This meeting, organized by PCOS
Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association, in
collaboration with and hosted by CDC Clinical Standardization
Programs, aims to develop reference ranges for testosterone and
other hormone tests in women and adolescent girls. Currently,
inconsistent hormone level ranges across different tests and
laboratories contribute to delays and errors in diagnosis, which
can leave patients untreated for long periods of time. By creating
these reference ranges, this meeting aims to standardize and
improve diagnostic precision and timeliness, ultimately supporting
better health outcomes for those living with PCOS.
Meeting Details
The PCOS Stakeholder Meeting will be held on Monday, August 26, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM EDT at the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta,
Georgia. It will be a hybrid event, allowing participants to
attend in person or virtually.
Sasha Ottey, Executive Director
of PCOS Challenge, emphasizes, "The annual economic burden of PCOS
exceeds $15 billion a year. As we
continue to advocate for those affected by PCOS and to advance
improved diagnostic and care models, this meeting marks a
significant step forward. Establishing standardized hormone
reference intervals is not just about improving diagnostic
accuracy; it's about ensuring that every patient receives timely
and precise care. Our collaboration with the CDC and other
stakeholders reflects our unwavering commitment to leveraging
scientific advancements to enhance patient outcomes. Together, we
are laying the foundation for a more reliable and effective
diagnostic process, which is essential for the health and
well-being of individuals with PCOS, many of whom often go
undiagnosed."
Hubert Vesper, Director of
Clinical Standardization Programs at the CDC, adds, "We are honored
to collaborate on this important meeting. Establishing standardized
hormone reference intervals is vital for improving the diagnosis
and treatment of conditions like PCOS. Our collaboration with PCOS
Challenge and other stakeholders underscores our commitment to
enhancing clinical laboratory test accuracy and harmonization,
which can ultimately lead to better patient care."
What Attendees Can Anticipate
Clinical Experts and Researchers will:
- Gain insights into the latest research methodologies for
developing reference intervals.
- Discuss and review existing study data to identify the best
approaches for normalizing and combining testosterone data.
Public Health Officials will:
- Understand the importance of standardized hormonal tests in the
accurate diagnosis of PCOS.
- Collaborate on public health strategies to support women and
adolescent girls with PCOS.
Laboratory Standardization Experts will:
- Explore technical and statistical procedures to derive
standardized reference intervals.
- Consider potential needs for additional biomarker data relevant
to PCOS.
Healthcare Providers specializing in Endocrinology and PCOS
will:
- Enhance their diagnostic capabilities through standardized
testosterone measurement.
- Improve the management and treatment outcomes for their
patients.
Additional Information
To learn more about the PCOS Stakeholder Meeting,
registration details, sponsorship opportunities, or interview
requests, please
visit https://pcoschallenge.org/pcos-stakeholder-meeting.
About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
PCOS is a serious genetic, hormone, metabolic and reproductive
disorder that affects up to 15 percent of women in the United States. PCOS is the most common
endocrine (hormone) disorder and cause of infertility in women
related to ovulatory dysfunction. PCOS can lead to lifelong
complications and other serious conditions including depression,
type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, nonalcoholic fatty
liver disease, uterine cancer, and maternal-fetal health
complications.
About PCOS Challenge
Serving nearly 60,000 members, PCOS Challenge is the
largest PCOS patient advocacy organization globally. PCOS Challenge
is the leading organization advancing PCOS health policy at the
federal and state levels, patient-centered research, and
patient-focused efforts to improve the diagnosis and treatment of
PCOS.
About CDC Clinical Standardization Programs
The CDC Clinical Standardization Programs' mission is
to achieve high-quality laboratory measurement and standardization.
By developing and validating laboratory protocols and methods,
the CDC ensures the accuracy and reliability of clinical laboratory
testing. This provides the foundation for effective and consistent
healthcare delivery. Learn more at:
https://www.cdc.gov/clinical-standardization-programs/index.html
Media Contact
William R. Patterson
Director of Public Affairs
PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Association
Telephone: 404-855-7244
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SOURCE PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Association