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The effect of uterine fibroid embolization on lower urinary tract symptoms

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An Erratum to this article was published on 02 August 2013

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

The objective was to determine the effect of uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and quality of life (QoL).

Methods

This prospective study included women with symptomatic fibroids and LUTS who underwent UFE between March 2008 and May 2010. Subjects underwent pre-procedural pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and completed the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7), Prolapse and Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12), Uterine Fibroid Symptom Quality of Life questionnaire (UFS-QoL), and a standardized 48-h bladder diary at baseline and 3 months after the procedure. Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) assessed post-procedural patient satisfaction. The primary outcome was subjective improvement in LUTS at 3 months, as measured by a decrease in UDI-6 score. Univariate analysis, paired t test and a stepwise regression analysis were appropriately conducted.

Results

Fifty-seven patients underwent UFE and completed bladder diaries and questionnaires. At 3 months after UFE, patients reported a significant decrease in UDI-6, IIQ-7, and UFS-QoL, indicating an improvement in urinary symptoms and QoL. Bladder diaries showed a significant reduction in daytime and night-time voids. No difference was found in incontinence episodes. Uterine volume, dominant fibroid size, fibroid location, and MRI-confirmed bladder compression did not affect the difference in UDI-6 scores. In a stepwise regression model, BMI had a significant impact on the change in UDI-6 score, with a decrease of 1.18 points for each 1 unit increase in BMI.

Conclusion

Uterine fibroid embolization significantly improves LUTS and urinary-related QoL. Obesity seems to attenuate this effect.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Jaime Lee, CRNP, and Michelle M. Jones, CRNP, for their unique and critical contribution to this study. This study was supported by a grant from the MedStar Health Research Institute Graduate Medical Education.

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Hadassah—Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Kerem, PO Box 12000, Jerusalem, Israel

    David Shveiky

  2. Section of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA

    Cheryl B. Iglesia, Danielle D. Antosh, Bela I. Kudish & Joanna Peterson

  3. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Urology, Washington Hospital Center/Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA

    Cheryl B. Iglesia, Danielle D. Antosh, Bela I. Kudish & Joanna Peterson

  4. Department of Radiology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA

    James B. Spies

  5. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Medstar Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA

    Chun-Chin Huang

Authors
  1. David Shveiky
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  2. Cheryl B. Iglesia
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  3. Danielle D. Antosh
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  4. Bela I. Kudish
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  5. Joanna Peterson
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  6. Chun-Chin Huang
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  7. James B. Spies
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Correspondence to David Shveiky.

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Shveiky, D., Iglesia, C.B., Antosh, D.D. et al. The effect of uterine fibroid embolization on lower urinary tract symptoms. Int Urogynecol J 24, 1341–1345 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-012-2013-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-012-2013-7

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