Clinical triage of mastalgia: a risk score for predicting suspicious breast imaging in a rural population
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic yield of breast ultrasonography in women aged 18-40 years presenting with mastalgia, to identify clinical predictors of suspicious imaging findings, and to develop a simple clinical risk score to support triage in a rural healthcare setting.Methods: This retrospective observational study included 418 women aged 18-40 years who underwent breast ultrasonography for mastalgia between 2020 and 2025 at a rural secondary-care hospital. Clinical variables, including mastalgia type (cyclic vs non-cyclic), focality, laterality, family history, and physical examination findings, were analyzed. Imaging outcomes were categorized using BIRADS, with BIRADS 4-5 defined as suspicious. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors. A three-point clinical risk score was constructed based on non-cyclic pain, focal pain, and abnormal physical examination.Results: Ultrasonographic abnormalities were detected in 42.34% of patients, predominantly benign. Suspicious imaging findings (BI-RADS 4-5) were identified in 7.9% of cases. Non-cyclic mastalgia (81.8% vs. 23.4%, p
Institution: Hitit Üniversitesi
Language: English
Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7167243142