Study on abnormal uterine bleeding among adult women in a tertiary care hospital in Bihar, India

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is the most common problem among patients coming to gynaecology outpatient department. There are various pathologies which can lead to AUB. History, blood investigations, ultrasonography, hysteroscopy and endometrial aspiration are the methods to rule out different causes. Later on, they are classified as per PALM-COEIN classification. It helps in better and successful management of AUB patients.Methods: It was a retrospective study done in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of AIIMS Patna from March 2014 to March 2016. A total of 272 cases were selected and data were collected in structured proforma on excel sheet.Results: The most common age-group presenting with AUB was 40 to 49 years of age (58%) and the most common histological pattern was secretory (47.7%). Menorrhagia was found to be the most common problem in AUB patients (58.45%). As per PALM- COEIN classification, the most common type in our study was found to be AUB-E (26.8%). In a sub-set of patients, who underwent hysterectomy, histopathological samples were compared to endometrial samples which were similar in 81.6% cases.Conclusions: Incidence and pattern of AUB varies according to the age of the patient. It is more common in perimenopausal age-group. Classification of AUB as per PALM-COEIN helps in better understanding of disease and successful management of patients.