A new saliva test for endometriosis is offering hope for faster and less invasive diagnosis, but Australian health experts say more evidence is needed before it is introduced locally.
The Ziwig Endotest uses artificial intelligence to analyse tiny molecules called microRNAs in saliva, with its French manufacturer claiming the test can identify 97 per cent of people with endometriosis and correctly rule out the condition in 93 per cent.
The test is currently available in France and the UK under specialist care as part of large-scale trials designed to assess its effectiveness in real-world settings.
Australian gynaecologists say there is not yet enough real-world evidence to support its use in Australia, where the test is reported to cost around two thousand dollars.
Endometriosis affects about one in seven Australian women aged between 18 and 45, while many patients face years of delays before receiving a diagnosis.
Experts say transvaginal pelvic ultrasound remains the best-practice diagnostic option in Australia, while new French and UK trials could determine whether the saliva test becomes a reliable non-invasive alternative in the future.
