Chodakowska withdraws controversial research package. Experts say it's misleading.

Endometriosis is a disease that affects nearly one million Polish women of reproductive age. It is associated with recurrent and severe pain, and if left untreated, it can lead to infertility and other serious conditions. Ewa Chodakowska, in collaboration with the company "Diagnostyka," introduced the "Endomkit" laboratory testing package. It was designed to support women struggling with the symptoms of endometriosis. It included a set of laboratory tests to help assess the patient's overall health and hormonal profile.

A wave of criticism from the medical community

The endometriosis diagnostic package promoted by Ewa Chodakowska included 18 blood tests. These included EndomKIT (a blood test for endometriosis diagnosis), a complete blood count, hsCRP (an inflammatory marker used to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease in clinically healthy individuals), ferritin, estradiol, progesterone, total testosterone, free testosterone, prolactin, AMH (a blood test that assesses a woman's ovarian reserve, i.e., the number and quality of eggs), a pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine profile (CBA test), LH (a luteinizing hormone test), FSH (an abbreviation for follicle-stimulating hormone), SHBG (a blood test that measures the level of SHBG protein in the body), vitamin D3 metabolite 25(OH), iron, a panel of elements Zn, Se (zinc, selenium), and magnesium.

The campaign, promoted by Ewa Chodakowska, caused quite a stir. A post referring to the aforementioned testing package appeared on the official profile of the "Pokonać Endometrióza" foundation. Experts remind patients that the testing package promoted by Ewa Chodakowska cannot replace a full medical diagnosis .

We would like to remind you that the recommendations of the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (PTGiP – ed.) regarding the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis indicate that CA-125 (a tumor marker that is mainly used in the diagnosis and monitoring of ovarian cancer, but may also be elevated in other diseases – ed.) or other markers from blood, endometrium, urine and uterine fluid should not be used as standalone diagnostic markers for endometriosis – the post reads.

The foundation, which helps women struggling with endometriosis, also reminds that recommended diagnostic tools include a patient interview and clinical examination, as well as specialized ultrasound performed by an experienced physician. Additionally, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is performed according to appropriate protocol.

The post also featured a comment from Dr. Mikołaj Karmowski, a gynecology specialist, who pointed out that the hopes of sick women were being exploited:

This misleading practice leads to delayed diagnosis of this disease and is detrimental to patients. This is unacceptable practice by people who are not doctors or medical professionals, but who merely exploit their popularity on social media, the expert said.

Ewa Chodakowska withdrew her offer

Ewa Chodakowska, responding to the media storm, posted on her Facebook profile that the package includes tests that are only helpful in diagnosing endometriosis. She emphasized that the intention was not to convey the message that the package is a diagnostic test for endometriosis, allowing for a diagnosis of the disease.

The offer description outlined a range of laboratory tests that could help assess the patient's overall health and hormonal profile, but not a full-fledged endometriosis diagnosis. It was clearly stated that the test was only helpful in diagnosing endometriosis, the trainer explained.

She added, however, that due to the large number of comments attacking the credibility of the package, diagnostic specialists decided to remove it from the offer.

Help for women with endometriosis

As a reminder, since July 1, 2020, women struggling with endometriosis have been able to count on free, comprehensive, specialized care, as the Minister of Health, Izabela Leszczyna, signed a relevant regulation at the end of May. Since the beginning of July, a completely new care model has been in place, addressing the needs of women whose daily life is hampered or even prevented by endometriosis. This free access to diagnosis and treatment for this chronic condition.

It covers conservative, surgical, and postoperative treatment for advanced endometriosis, including treatment of endometriosis outside the reproductive system, depending on medical indications. Surgical treatment will be performed in specialized centers with the most experience in this field and meeting specific requirements for medical equipment and devices. Treatment outcomes will be monitored. Patients will be provided with physiotherapy, psychological support, and dietary consultations, depending on their needs, according to information published on the Ministry of Health website.

To access treatment, a referral from a gynecologist is required. The comprehensive endometriosis treatment program will be conducted in several highly specialized centers across Poland (no regionalization is required). The centers that have initiated the project include:

• University Hospital in Krakow,
• Opole Oncology Center named after Prof. T. Koszarowski,
• Military Clinical Hospital with Polyclinic SPZOZ in Lublin,
• Katowice Oncology Center,
• Military Medical Institute,
• Pomeranian Hospitals Ltd.,
• Polish Mother's Health Center Institute,
• Greater Poland Oncology Center.

Read also: "You will never again be alone with your suffering." The change that women have been waiting for is getting closer. Read also: Women in Poland have been waiting for this change for years. Leszczyna: Finally, patients won't be bounced at the door.