Invasive Procedural Treatments for Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids: A Cost Analysis

The Annual Economic Burden of Uterine Fibroids in the United States (2010 Versus 2022): A Comparative Cost-Analysis

In 2010, the estimated annual cost of uterine fibroids in the United States ranged from 5.9 to 34.4 billion USD. In the past decade, more uterine-sparing and fertility preserving interventions have become available to treat symptomatic fibroids. This comparative cost-analysis aims to evaluate change in societal costs of uterine fibroids in the US between 2010 and 2022 given changing fibroid and obstetric management, population growth, and inflation. A systematic review was conducted to update uterine fibroid, treatment, and obstetric complication prevalence, direct costs of medical and surgical interventions, indirect productivity costs, and obstetric costs attributable to fibroids in 2022. A comparative cost-analysis with paired t-tests was performed using baseline data published in 2010. Percent (%) changes between 2010 and 2022 were reported. NIH research funding for fibroids and other common diseases was compared. All costs were converted to 2023 USD. The number of US women with uterine fibroids increased by 10.6% from 2010 to 2022. Over this period, the economic burden of uterine fibroids increased up to 41.4 billion USD compared to 34.4 billion USD in 2010. Overall costs increased to 42.2 billion USD after incorporating new costs associated with MRgFUS and infertility. Direct costs of medical management decreased while costs of surgical interventions increased as a result of evolving treatment-seeking behavior. Lost work costs continue to account for the largest proportion of the economic burden for fibroids. Cesarean section delivery remains the largest contributor (average 80.0%) to indirect obstetrical costs. Despite the rise in the number of individuals affected by uterine fibroids and its sizable annual cost to society, uterine fibroids research continues to be underfunded.

Patient Characteristics Associated With Embolization Versus Hysterectomy for Uterine Fibroids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Black and underinsured women in the United States are more likely than their counterparts to develop uterine fibroids (UFs) and experience more severe symptoms. Uterine artery embolization (UAE), a uterine-sparing therapeutic procedure, is less invasive than the common alternative, open hysterectomy. To determine whether demographic disparities persist in UF treatment utilization, we reviewed patient characteristics associated with UAE versus hysterectomy for UF among studies of US clinical practices.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted via PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL (PROSPERO CRD42023455051), yielding 1,350 articles (January 1, 1995, to July 15, 2023) that outlined demographic characteristics of UAE compared with hysterectomy. Two readers screened for inclusion criteria, yielding 13 full-text US-based comparative studies specifying at least one common demographic characteristic. Random effects meta-analysis was performed on the data (STATA v18.0). Egger's regression test was used to quantify publication bias.

RESULTS

Nine (138,960 patients), four (183,643 patients), and seven (312,270 patients) studies were analyzed for race, insurance status, and age as predictors of treatment modality, respectively. Black race (odds ratio = 3.35, P < .01) and young age (P < .05) were associated with UAE, whereas private insurance (relative to Medicare and/or Medicaid) was not (odds ratio = 1.06, P = .52). Between-study heterogeneity (I2 > 50%) was detected in all three meta-analyses. Small-study bias was detected for age but not race or insurance.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Knowledge of demographic characteristics of patients with UFs receiving UAE versus hysterectomy is sparse (n = 13 studies). Among these studies, which seem to be racially well distributed, Black and younger women are more likely to receive UAE than their counterparts.

True Costs of Uterine Artery Embolization: Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing in Interventional Radiology Over a 3-Year Period

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to uncover potential areas for cost savings in uterine artery embolization (UAE) using time-driven activity-based costing, the most accurate costing methodology for direct health care system costs.

METHODS

One hundred twenty-three patients who underwent outpatient UAE for fibroids or adenomyosis between January 2020 and December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Utilization times were captured from electronic health record time stamps and staff interviews using validated techniques. Capacity cost rates were estimated using institutional data and manufacturer proxy prices. Costs were calculated using time-driven activity-based costing for personnel, equipment, and consumables. Differences in time utilization and costs between procedures by an interventional radiology attending physician only versus an interventional radiology attending physician and trainee were additionally performed.

RESULTS

The mean total cost of UAE was $4,267 ± $1,770, the greatest contributor being consumables (51%; $2,162 ± $811), followed by personnel (33%; $1,388 ± $340) and equipment (7%; $309 ± $96). Embolic agents accounted for the greatest proportion of consumable costs, accounting for 51% ($1,273 ± $789), followed by vascular devices (15%; $630 ± $143). The cost of embolic agents was highly variable, driven mainly by the number of vials (range 1-19) of tris-acryl gelatin particles used. Interventional radiology attending physician only cases had significantly lower personnel costs ($1,091 versus $1,425, P = .007) and equipment costs ($268 versus $317, P = .007) compared with interventional radiology attending physician and trainee cases, although there was no significant difference in mean overall costs ($3,640 versus $4,386; P = .061).

CONCLUSIONS

Consumables accounted for the majority of total cost of UAE, driven by the cost of embolic agents and vascular devices.

What predicts durable symptom relief of uterine fibroids treated with MRI-guided focused ultrasound? A multicenter trial in 8 academic centers

OBJECTIVE

To identify variables predictive of durable clinical success after MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment of uterine fibroids.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective, multicenter trial, 99 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids were treated using MRgFUS. Pelvic MRI was obtained at baseline and treatment day. The Uterine Fibroid Symptom-Quality of Life questionnaire was used to calculate a symptom severity score (SSS) at baseline and 6, 12, 24, and 36 months following treatment. Clinical, imaging, and treatment variables were correlated with symptom reduction sustained through the 12- and 24-month time points using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. A novel parameter, the ratio of non-perfused volume to total fibroid load (NPV/TFL), was developed to determine association with durable outcomes.

RESULTS

Post-treatment, mean symptom severity decreased at the 6-, 12-, 24-, and 36-month follow-ups (p < 0.001, all time points). In univariable analysis, three variables predicted treatment success (defined by ≥ 30-point improvement in SSS) sustained at both the 12-month and 24-month time points: increasing ratio of NPV/TFL (p = 0.002), decreasing total fibroid load (p = 0.04), and the absence of T2-weighted Funaki type 2 fibroids (p = 0.02). In multivariable analysis, the NPV/TFL was the sole predictor of durable clinical success (p = 0.01). Patients with ratios below 30% had less improvement in SSS and lacked durable clinical response compared with those between 30-79 (p = 0.03) and ≥ 80% (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Increased non-perfused volume relative to total fibroid volume was significantly associated with durable reduction of symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding and bulk bother.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

Patient selection for sustained clinical benefit should emphasize those with likelihood of achieving high ablation ratios, as determined by imaging (e.g., device access, Funaki type) and by considering the total fibroid load, not just the primary symptomatic fibroid.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical trial ID: NCT01285960.

KEY POINTS

• Patient selection/treatment approach associated with durable symptom relief in MRI-guided focused ultrasound ablation of uterine fibroids remains unclear. • The ablation ratio, non-perfused volume/total fibroid volume, was positively associated with sustained symptom relief in both bleeding and bulk bother at 1- and 2-year follow-ups. • Selecting patients with imaging features that favor a high ratio of ablation to total fibroid load (including non-targeted fibroids) is the main factor in predicting durability of symptom relief after uterine fibroid treatment.

Health Services Research: A Review for the Interventional Radiologist

Health services research (HSR) is a multidisciplinary field which studies access to drivers of health care service utilization, the quality and cost of services, and their outcomes on groups of patients. Since its foundations in the 1960s, there has been a large focus on HSR and using large data sets to study real-world care. Because interventional radiology (IR) is a dynamic field with foundations in innovation, research often focuses on small-scale projects. This review will discuss HSR including data sources, focus areas, methodologies, limitations, and opportunities for future directions in IR.

Healthcare Disparities in Interventional Radiology

Racial, ethnic, and sex-based healthcare disparities have been documented for the past several decades. Nonetheless, disparities remain firmly entrenched in our care delivery systems, with multiple contributing factors, including patient interactions with care providers, systemic barriers to access, and socioeconomic determinants of health. Interventional radiology is also subject to these drivers of health inequity. In this review, documented disparities for the most common conditions being addressed by interventional radiologists are summarized; their magnitude is quantified where relevant, and underlying drivers are identified. Specific examples are provided to illustrate how medical, cultural, and socioeconomic factors interact to produce unequal outcomes. By outlining known disparities and common contributors, this review aims to motivate future efforts to mitigate them.