a saliva test considered promising for diagnosing this gynecological disease

The High Authority for Health (HAS) offers access to a saliva test to identify biomarkers of endometriosis. Other clinical data must nevertheless be provided before deciding on a possible generalized reimbursement of this test by social security.

Endometriosis affects nearly two million adult women in France, around one in ten. It causes chronic pain and can harm fertility, but the disease remains difficult to spot. The diagnosis takes on average seven years, hence the value of this saliva test, which saves time.

Called “Endotest”, and developed by a Lyon biotech, this test makes it possible to identify biomarkers contained in saliva. By combining high-throughput sequencing and the use of artificial intelligence in a specialized laboratory, we obtain a 95% reliable diagnosis in a few days. Until now, the medical authorities had remained cautious about this test, but in view of the latest results of a study involving a thousand women, the High Authority for Health considers it promising. Please note, it is not intended for all women, only for those in whom clinical examinations or medical imaging (i.e. ultrasound or MRI) cannot explain persistent pain. The idea is to use this test before the laparoscopy stage, an invasive examination carrying risks.

Steps to take

Generalized reimbursement of this test by social security is, for the moment, not proposed because its use in practice remains complex and expensive. According to the High Authority for Health, there is still a lack of clinical data to determine precisely which women could benefit significantly from it. Early access to this test as part of the “innovation package” is therefore currently offered.

Concretely, if the opinion of the HAS is followed by the government, women over 18 years old, in whom endometriosis is suspected, could benefit from this test free of charge, provided that this support at the same time makes it possible to advance new clinical studies. This step is considered necessary before deciding on possible generalized coverage by social security.