Could ELABELA be a protective biomarker in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding?

Aim: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a health problem characterized by various symptoms such as heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding, affecting approximately 30% of female patients both physiologically and psychologically. The aim of this study was to determine the serum Elabela (ELA) concentrations in women over the age of 18 with functional abnormal uterine bleeding and to compare these concentrations with those of healthy women. Material and Method: This prospective case-control study was performed from August 18, 2022 to December 30, 2022. This was a cross-sectional study including 50 women who applied to the gynecology service of Malatya Turgut Ozal Training and Research Hospital with complaints of AUB and 50 women without AUB who underwent gynecological examination. The presence of AUB in patients was determined based on clinical examination conducted by a gynecologist and medical records. Demographic and clinical characteristics, and serum Elabela concentrations were recorded. Results: Serum ELA levels was significantly lower in patients with AUB (581.54 ± 272.25 pg/mL) compared to the healthy group (744.55 ± 300.31 pg/mL, p =0.005). In this study, ELA in patients with AUB showed 98% sensitivity and 80% specificity with a cutoff value of 411.41 pg/mL (area under the curve [AUC], 68.1%; P=0.002). Conclusion: Serum ELA levels in patients with AUB were significantly lower than in healthy women. These results show that ELA is a good predictor of the pathophysiological process of AUB.