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Evaluation of Changes in Sexual Function Related to Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE): Results of the EFUZEN Study

  • Clinical Investigation
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Abstract

Objectives

The main goal of the study was to evaluate sexual function before and one year after UFE. The secondary goals were to evaluate the quality of life before and one year after UFE and to determine the relation of imaging findings (MRI data) before and 3–6 months after UFE to changes in sexual function and quality of life.

Materials and Methods

Study design: a prospective, multicenter (25 centers) observational study was conducted. Patients: a total of 264 consecutive symptomatic women undergoing UFE using Embozene® (Celonova) from March 2012 to May 2013 were enrolled. Clinical data: the sexual function score and the quality of life score were calculated using the previously validated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) by Rosen and UFS-QOL by Spies, respectively, before and one year after UFE. Imaging data: MRI were performed before and 3–6 months after UFE. Data recorded were uterine and main fibroid volume, percentage of fibroid enhancement after injection of gadolinium. Impact of imaging data before and after UFE FSFS scores and QOL scores after UFE was searched.

Results

Complete FSFI study and QOL study were obtained in 170 and 192 women, respectively. At 1 year post-UFE, improvement of FSFI score was seen in 134/170 women (78.8%), QOL scores were improved in 183/203 women (90.2%) and symptoms severity in 163/192 (84.9%). The relation between main fibroid reduction, decrease of fibroid enhancement and global UFS-QOL and FSFI scores was not established.

Conclusion

At one year post-embolization, UFE significantly improves all aspects of sexual function and quality of life.

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Centers Included in SFICV Study

H Vernhet-Kovacsik, CHU Arnaud de Villeneuve, Montpellier; J M Bartoli, AP-HM Hôpital Timone, CHU Marseille; J P Beregi, CHU Carémeau, Nîmes; F Boudghene, CH Gaston Ramon, Sens; P Chabrot, CHU Gabriel Montpied, Clermont-Ferrand; J C Brichaux, Clinique St Etienne, Bayonne; P Chevallier, Hôpital Archet II, CHU Nice; F Cotton, HCL, CHU Lyon Sud; M C Delchier, Hôpital Rangueil, CHU Toulouse; D Herbreteau, CHU Bretonneau, Tours; D Higue, CH Côte Basque, Bayonne; X Kos, Clinique Aressy, Bizanos; D Krause, Hôpital Bocage, CHU Dijon; J C Lasalarie, CHU Sud Réunion; M Lebbadi, CHU Fort de France; J Massonnat, Clinique Axium, Aix-en-Provence; C Poey, Clinique St Paul, Fort de France; P Romy, Clinique Pasteur, Guilherand Granges; G Roumieux, CH Henri Duffaut, Avignon; M Sapoval, AP-HP HEGP, CHU Paris; C Sengel, Hôpital Michallon, CHU Grenoble; F Thouveny, Hôpital Larrey, CHU Angers; H Trillaud, Hôpital St André, CHU Bordeaux; E Uzan, CHP Beauregard, Marseille; O Vignaux, AP-HP Hôpital Cochin, CHU Paris.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Interventional and Cardiovascular Imaging, Hospital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHU Montpellier, 371 Avenue du Doyen Giraud, 34295, Montpellier, France

    Hélène Vernhet Kovacsik & Sébastien Bommart MD

  2. CHU Tours, Tours, France

    Denis Herbreteau

  3. CHU Nîmes, Nîmes, France

    Jean-Paul Beregi

  4. APHM Marseille, Marseille, France

    Jean-Michel Bartoli

  5. APHP Paris, Paris, France

    Marc Sapoval

Authors
  1. Hélène Vernhet Kovacsik
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  2. Denis Herbreteau
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  3. Sébastien Bommart MD
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  4. Jean-Paul Beregi
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  5. Jean-Michel Bartoli
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  6. Marc Sapoval
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Consortia

The French Society of Interventional and cardiovascular Imaging (SFICV) research group

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hélène Vernhet Kovacsik.

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Appendix: Calculation of the FSFI and QOL Scores

Appendix: Calculation of the FSFI and QOL Scores

Calculation of FSFI scores The sexual function was evaluated using FSFI by computing 6 subscale scores and a total FSFI score. Subscale scores were calculated by adding the score of the individual items (questions) that comprise the subscale. Each subscale score was then multiplied by a subscale factor. Overall score of the FSFI was obtained by adding the 6 subscale scores. The minimum score of the FSFI is 2, and the maximum score is 36. A high FSFI score is better than a low score Missing data on the FSFI questionnaire. When a patient had not answered all items (questions) on a certain subscale (desire, arousal, lubrication, etc.) but had answered more than 50% of the items, the missing data were imputed (replaced) by the mean subscale score of the items present. When a patient had answered 50% or less of the items on a subscale, the subscale score was considered missing. When a subscale score was missing, the total FSFI score could not be calculated and was thus considered missing FSFI scores at inclusion after imputation of missing data.

Calculation of UFS-QOL scores The UFS-QOL is divided in symptom severity and health-related quality of life (HRQL). The Symptom severity scale score is based on the sum of question 1–8 in the UFS-QOL questionnaire. The HRQL comprised 6 subscales. Subscale scores were calculated by adding the score of the items that comprise the subscale. Each subscale score was then multiplied by a subscale factor. Total score of the HRQL was obtained by adding the 6 subscale scores. A low Symptom severity score is better than a high. A high HRQL score is better than a low. Concerning missing data on the UFS-QOL questionnaire: Symptom severity, when a patient had not answered all items (questions) on symptom severity, but had answered more than 50% of the items, the missing data were imputed (replaced) by the mean symptom severity score of the items present. When a patient had answered 50% or less of the items, the symptom severity score was considered missing. Concerning missing data on the UFS-QOL questionnaire: HRQL, when a patient had not answered all items (questions) on a certain subscale (concern, activities, energy/mood etc.) but had answered more than 50% of the items, the missing data were imputed (replaced) by the mean subscale score of the items present. When a patient had answered 50% or less of the items on a subscale, the subscale score was considered missing. When a subscale score was missing, the total HRQL was not calculated and considered missing.

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Kovacsik, H.V., Herbreteau, D., Bommart, S. et al. Evaluation of Changes in Sexual Function Related to Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE): Results of the EFUZEN Study. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 40, 1169–1175 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-017-1615-3

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