Patient-reported prevalence and symptomatic burden of uterine fibroids among women in the United States: findings from a cross-sectional survey analysis

Abstract

PurposeTo estimate the prevalence of women diagnosed with uterine fibroids and the associated symptom burden in the US.Patients and methodsResponses of women aged 18–54 years, who completed an online survey, were analyzed. Data were weighted based on age, education, race, geographic region, income, and propensity score to derive national estimates of the prevalence of women diagnosed with uterine fibroids and associated symptom burden. Weighted means and percentages were reported. Prevalence across age and ethnic groups was examined. Symptom burden among women with and without uterine fibroids was compared using weighted logistic regressions.ResultsOf 59,411 respondents who met study inclusion criteria, 7.7% reported receiving a diagnosis of uterine fibroids. Of these, 5,670 women (1,402 in the uterine fibroid group and 4,268 in the control group) were excluded from analysis because they had a hysterectomy. Among the non-hysterectomized study participants, 3,031 self-reported a diagnosis of uterine fibroids (prevalence: 5.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.5%–6.1%); prevalence increased as women aged and was greatest in the 50–54 age group (11.4%; 95% CI: 10.4%–12.4%). In addition, prevalence was greater in black vs white women (9.8%; 95% CI: 8.7%–11.0% vs 5.4%; 95% CI: 5.1%–5.7%). A greater percentage of women with uterine fibroids (vs those without) experienced severe heavy menstrual bleeding (16.7% vs 7.7%), severe constipation/bloating/diarrhea (7.7% vs 4.7%), severe passage of clots (6.7% vs 2.4%), severe spotting/bleeding between periods (1.7% vs 1.0%), and severe pelvic pressure (1.6% vs 0.6%). Among uterine fibroid patients with these typical uterine fibroid-related symptoms, 56.4%, 32.3%, 26.4%, 25.8%, and 20.4% reported heavy menstrual bleeding, passage of clots, spotting/bleeding between periods, constipation/bloating/diarrhea, and pelvic pressure, respectively, as extremely bothersome.ConclusionUterine fibroids impose a heavy burden on women aged 18–54 years in the US.

Predictors and symptomatic burden of uterine fibroids among women in South-Eastern India: a cross-sectional survey analysis

“…10 Whereas only 5% case of uterine fibroid reported in a survey conducted in US among 59411 women of aged 18-54 years and 6.83% among 2575 female patients in south western Nigerian population and 15% was reported among ultrasound-diagnosed fibroids in which more found in black women compared to white women and 21.1% in north east Slovenia. [11][12][13][14] The global prevalence rate is more close to Indian scenario 24% among 46-50 years age group in rural South Indian women which supports present study prevalence rate of 20% among women of reproductive age. 15 This prevalence rate of UF was more among young age group <30 years, the peak of detected fibroids was at the age of 39, after which the prevalence of fibroids was decreasing until the age of 45 years.…”

“…17 The epidemiological factors for development of uterine fibroids includes nulli-parity, obesity, age, family history of uterine fibroids, prenatal hormone exposure, polycystic ovary syndrome, diabetes and hypertension. 10,11,[18][19][20][21][22][23] Present study findings did not show any statistical significant with these epidemiological factors but more number of cases reported among advanced age. It was reported that obese and high body mass index increases risk of uterine fibroids compared with low BMI.…”

“…3,9 Literature shows that risk factors for development of uterine fibroids includes nulli-parity, early menarche, increased frequency of menses, history of dysmenorrhoea, family history of uterine fibroids, obesity, and age. 10,11 There is less evidence of uterine fibroid prevalence among Indian women of reproductive age group and therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of fibroids in present population of reproductive age group women and to discover possible risk factors for its occurrence and associated symptom burden.…”

Predictors of response for elagolix with add-back therapy in women with heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids

“…4 The most common symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding, which occurs in 46% to 59% of symptomatic women and can lead to anemia and fatigue; reproductive dysfunction; and bulk symptoms including bowel and bladder dysfunction, pelvic pain, and abdominal protrusion. 2,5,6 Factors including race, ethnicity, fibroid location, uterine and fibroid volume, age, and body mass index (BMI) influence the incidence of fibroids and symptom severity. 7e14 Race and ethnicity are key risk factors for uterine fibroids.…”

The effect of high-intensity focused ultrasound guided by magnetic resonance therapy on obstetrical outcomes in patients with uterine fibroids – experiences from the main Polish center and a review of current data

“…However, many women who have UFs do not present any kind of clinical symptoms and these tumors might grow undiagnosed for years [5]. Clinically symptomatic UFs may be a cause of serious health problems for many women worldwide [6][7][8]. They manifest through a wide range of symptoms, including painful and prolonged menstruation, heavy menstrual bleeding, passage of clots, spotting, bloating, constipation, anemia, pelvic and abdominal pressure or pain [3,9,10] infertility and obstetric complications [11].…”