{
  "abstract": "Introduction: Female genital malformations are common but are not always correctly diagnosed. They have a great impact on women’s lives as they can cause pelvic pain and have been associated with poor reproductive outcomes. Current classification systems for female genital tract malformations lack consensus, leading to diagnostic and therapeutic discrepancies between clinicians and researchers worldwide. This study aims to identify the barriers and facilitators of current classification systems through expert consensus.\n\nMethods and analysis: International, observational, modified Delphi consensus study using a mixed-methods design, conducted and reported following the CREDES (Conducting and Reporting of Delphi Studies) guidelines. The predominant component is quantitative, based on structured 5-point Likert-scale ratings and numerical consensus thresholds; free-text comments collected in round 1 provide complementary qualitative data that will inform refinement of questionnaire items between rounds. An international, geographically and professionally diverse multidisciplinary expert panel will be recruited, comprising a gynaecology block (specialising in reproduction, ultrasound, adolescent gynaecology and gynaecological surgery) and an ‘other specialties’ block (radiologists, urologists, paediatricians specialising in urology and paediatric surgeons). A minimum of 25 panellists per block is estimated. A scientific committee of international experts will review and validate the questionnaire prior to distribution and will conduct a final consensus validation phase after completion of the Delphi rounds. Experts will complete two rounds of anonymous online questionnaires. A 70% agreement threshold will define consensus.\n\nEthics and dissemination: This study has been approved by the Office of Responsible Research (COIR) at Miguel Hernández University (reference number: 240720141743) and complies with the Declaration of Helsinki. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international scientific meetings.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "PhD Programme in Public Health, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, Alicante, Valencian Community, Spain",
    "Medicina Clinica, Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche Facultad de Medicina, Alicante, Spain",
    "Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece",
    "Women's Health, University College London Faculty of Medical Sciences, London, UK",
    "University College London Faculty of Medical Sciences, London, UK",
    "Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain",
    "Gynaecology Department, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, Alicante, Valencian Community, Spain"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Beatriz Orozco",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-7058-6666"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Adriana Lopez-Pineda",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-2117-0178"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Grigoris Grimbizis"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Hazel Isabella Learner",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-4001-4920"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Ephia Yasmin"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Carmina Bermejo"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        6
      ],
      "name": "Maria Isabel Acién",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-6536-453X"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9ggct86stkq1s.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1136/bmjopen-2026-123979",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13723842/",
  "id": "9ggct86stkq1s",
  "issns": [
    "2044-6055",
    "2044-6055"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-123979",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "1506"
    ],
    [
      "heading",
      "1845"
    ],
    [
      "heading",
      "Obstetrics and Gynaecology"
    ],
    [
      "heading",
      "Protocol"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2729|Gynecological conditions and treatments"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223991728",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": "PMC13723842",
  "pmid": "42946367",
  "published": "2026-10-27",
  "publisher": "BMJ",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9ggct86stkq1s.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:44Z",
      "native_id": "10.1136/bmjopen-2026-123979",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-123979"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-04T12:22:24Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13723842",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-123979"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2729|Gynecological conditions and treatments",
      "subfield": "reproductive-child"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Expert consensus for the classification of female genital malformations: protocol for a Delphi study",
  "title_text": "Expert consensus for the classification of female genital malformations: protocol for a Delphi study",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-05T12:20:35Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9ggct86stkq1s",
  "venue": "BMJ Open",
  "versions": []
}