Impact of Race and Ethnicity on Perioperative Outcomes During Hysterectomy for Endometriosis

Characteristics associated with blood transfusion among women undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy: a National Surgical Quality Improvement Program study

BACKGROUND

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors that affect females. A laparoscopic myomectomy is the standard surgical treatment for most women who wish to retain their uterus. The most common complication of a myomectomy is excessive bleeding. However, risk factors for hemorrhage during a laparoscopic myomectomy are not well studied and no risk stratification tool specific for identifying the need for a blood transfusion during a laparoscopic myomectomy currently exists in the literature.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify risk factors for intraoperative and postoperative blood transfusion during laparoscopic myomectomies and to develop a risk stratification tool to determine the risk for requiring a blood transfusion.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2012 to 2020. Women who underwent a laparoscopic (conventional or robotic) myomectomy were included. Women who received 1 or more blood transfusions within 72 hours after the start time of a laparoscopic myomectomy were compared with those who did not require a blood transfusion. A multivariable analysis was performed to identify risk factors independently associated with the risk for transfusion. Two risk stratification tools to determine the need for a blood transfusion were developed based on the multivariable results, namely (1) based on preoperative factors and (2) based on preoperative and intraoperative factors.

RESULTS

During the study period, 11,498 women underwent a laparoscopic myomectomy. Of these, 331(2.9%) required a transfusion. In a multivariable regression analysis of the preoperative factors, Black or African American and Asian races, Hispanic ethnicity, bleeding disorders, American Society of Anesthesiologists class III or IV classification, and a preoperative hematocrit value ≤35.0% were independently associated with the risk for transfusion. Identified intraoperative factors included specimen weight >250 g or ≥5 intramural myomas and an operation time of ≥197 minutes. A risk stratification tool was developed in which points are assigned based on the identified risk factors. The mean probability of transfusion can be calculated based on the sum of the points.

CONCLUSION

We identified preoperative and intraoperative independent risk factors for a blood transfusion among women who underwent a laparoscopic myomectomy. A risk stratification tool to determine the risk for requiring a blood transfusion was developed based on the identified risk factors. Further studies are needed to validate this tool.

Demographic Correlates of Endometriosis Diagnosis Among United States Women Aged 15-50

OBJECTIVE

To compare demographic characteristics of women with and without a diagnosis of endometriosis.

DESIGN

Data were collected from the National Survey of Family Growth-a publicly available survey designed and administered by the Centers for Disease Control, which uses a nationally-representative sample of the United States population. Univariate data were reported as survey-weighted percentages and means and were analyzed using chi-square, t tests, and logistic regression. Analyses accounted for complex survey design.

SETTING

United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Interviews were conducted with 6141 female respondents, aged 15 to 50, between 2017 and 2019.

INTERVENTIONS

Data were collected through in-person interviews.

RESULTS

Nationally, 5.7% reported a diagnosis of endometriosis (95% CI 4.6-6.9%). Those with endometriosis were older, with a mean age of 39 (95% CI 38.1-39.9), compared to 31.7 (95% CI 31.2-32.2) among those without (p <.0005). Endometriosis diagnosis was significantly associated with race. Compared to non-Hispanic White women, Hispanic women had an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 0.37 (95% CI 0.21-0.65) for diagnosis of endometriosis, and non-Hispanic Black women had an aOR of 0.54 (95% CI 0.35-0.84). We also observed a difference in diagnosis by health insurance: compared to those with private insurance or Medi-Gap coverage, those with Medicare or military insurance had an aOR for endometriosis diagnosis of 2.49 (95% CI 1.36-4.55). Finally, compared to those with less than a high school education, those who had completed high school or greater had an aOR for endometriosis diagnosis of 2.84 (95% CI 1.15-6.99).

CONCLUSION

These disparities in endometriosis diagnosis suggest that intersecting barriers may preclude certain groups from accessing timely endometriosis diagnosis and management. Further studies are warranted to explore these hypothesis-generating data and to identify and address specific barriers to equitable endometriosis diagnosis and management.

Associations between race and ethnicity and perioperative outcomes among women undergoing hysterectomy for adenomyosis

OBJECTIVE

To study racial and ethnic disparities among women undergoing hysterectomy performed for adenomyosis across the United States.

DESIGN

A cohort study.

SETTING

Data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) from 2012-2020.

PATIENTS

Patients with an adenomyosis diagnosis.

INTERVENTION

Hysterectomy for adenomyosis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Patients were identified using the International Classification of Diseases 9th and 10th editions codes 617.0 and N80.0 (endometriosis of the uterus). Hysterectomies were classified on the basis of the Current Procedural Terminology codes. We compared baseline and surgical characteristics and 30-day postoperative complications across the different racial and ethnic groups. Postoperative complications were classified into minor and major complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification system.

RESULTS

A total of 12,599 women underwent hysterectomy for adenomyosis during the study period: 8,822 (70.0%) non-Hispanic White, 1,597 (12.7%) Hispanic, 1,378 (10.9%) non-Hispanic Black or African American, 614 (4.9%) Asian, 97 (0.8%) Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 91 (0.7%) American Indian or Alaska Native. Postoperative complications occurred in 8.8% of cases (n = 1,104), including major complications in 3.1% (n = 385). After adjusting for confounders, non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity were independently associated with an increased risk of major complications (adjusted odds ratio 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] {1.16-2.04}). Laparotomy was performed in 13.7% (n = 1,725) of cases. Compared with non-Hispanic White race and ethnicity, the adjusted odd ratios for undergoing laparoscopy were 0.58 (95% CI 0.50-0.67) for Hispanic, 0.56 (95% CI 0.48-0.65) for non-Hispanic Black or African American, 0.33 (95% CI 0.27-0.40) for Asian, and 0.26 (95% CI 0.17-0.41) for Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander race and ethnicity.

CONCLUSION

Among women undergoing hysterectomy for postoperatively diagnosed adenomyosis, non-Hispanic Black or African American race and ethnicity were associated with an increased risk of major postoperative complications. Compared with non-Hispanic White race and ethnicity, Hispanic ethnicity, non-Hispanic Black or African American, Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander race and ethnicity were less likely to undergo minimally invasive surgery.

Race, Ethnicity, and Sex Representation Trends Among Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship Trainees and Graduates

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To study the race, ethnicity, and sex representation and annual trends of AAGL FMIGS fellows and graduates.

DESIGN

A retrospective cross-sectional study.

SETTING

AAMC databases were queried for demographic information between 2011 and 2023.

PATIENTS/SUBJECTS

AAGL FMIGS fellows and graduates.

INTERVENTIONS

N/A MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Descriptive statistical analysis and the actual-to-expected (AE) ratio of each race, ethnicity, and sex were performed. AE ratio was calculated by dividing the 13-year average actual percentage of FMIGS trainees and graduates by the expected percentage based demographics of OBGYN residents and the US general population. 477 fellows graduated or were in training between 2011 and 2023; race and ethnicity information was obtained for 347 (72.7%) individuals, and sex information was available for 409 (85.7%). Representation of females ranged from 66.7% in 2017 to 93.3% in 2022. There was a significantly increasing slope for the representation of females (+1.3% per year; 95% CI 0.00-0.03; p = .027). Compared to their distribution among US OBGYN residents, White fellows' representation was lower [AE ratio, 95% CI 0.60 (0.44-0.81)] and of Asian fellows was higher [AE ratio, 95% CI 2.17 (1.47-3.21)]. Female fellows' representation was lower than expected [AE ratio, 95% CI 0.68 (0.48-0.96)] compared to their distribution among US OBGYN residents. Compared to the general US population, White fellows [AE ratio, 95% CI 0.65 (0.48-0.87)] and Hispanic fellows [AE ratio, 95% CI 0.53 (0.34-0.83)] representation was lower. Asian fellows' representation was higher compared to the general US population [AE ratio, 95% CI 5.87 (3.48-9.88)].

CONCLUSION

White and Hispanic fellows' representation was lower than expected, while Asian fellows' representation was higher in AAGL-accredited FMIGS programs. Female representation increased throughout the years, but overall, female fellows' representation was lower than expected compared to their distribution among OBGYN residents. These findings may help develop equitable recruitment strategies for FMIGS programs and reduce health disparities within complex gynecology.

Association between pathological positivity rate of endometriosis, demographics, and concomitant gynecological conditions

Background

To date, there remains a paucity of present-day literature on the topic of demographics and the biopsy-proven pathological positivity rate of endometriosis.

Objective

The goal of this study was to explore the association between patients' demographics and other concomitant gynecological conditions or procedures and the pathological positivity rate of excision of endometriosis.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

All women >18 years old who underwent laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis at a tertiary care hospital from October 2011 to October 2020. Women were classified into two groups: (1) Study group: women with >80% pathological positivity rate of endometriosis and (2) Control group: women with <80% pathological positivity rate.

Results

A total of 401 women were included in the analysis. No difference was noted in the 80% pathological positivity rate based on body mass index [BMI; 68.7% in normal BMI versus 80% in underweight, versus 74.5% in overweight, and 74.1% in obese patients (p = 0.72)]. The percentage of patients reaching 80% pathological positivity of endometriosis was lower in women who had undergone previous laparoscopy for endometriosis compared to surgery naïve women (66.5% versus 76.5%, p = 0.03). In addition, a higher percentage of women who underwent concomitant hysterectomy (83.5% versus 68.8% for non-hysterectomy, p = 0.005) or bilateral oophorectomy (92.7% versus 70.0% for non-oophorectomy, p = 0.002) reached 80% pathological positivity. Women with an associated diagnosis of fibroids (79.7% versus 70.5%) or adenomyosis (76.4% versus 71.7%) were more likely to reach 80% pathological positivity compared to women without any other coexisting pathology; however, the observed differences were not statistically significant. After applying a log-binomial regression model, compared to White non-Hispanics, Hispanic patients were 30% less likely to reach 80% positivity (RR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.49-1.02), although not statistically significant.

Conclusion

No significant racial difference was found when comparing the rates of 80% pathological positivity of suspected endometriosis lesions among groups. Endometriosis pathological positivity rate was unaffected by patients' BMI and the presence of concomitant pathologies. In addition, prior laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis might cause tissue changes that result in a decrease in the observed pathological positivity rate of endometriosis lesions during subsequent surgeries.

Risk factors for major complications following colorectal resections for endometriosis in the USA

PURPOSE

We aimed to describe the incidence and identify risk factors for the occurrence of short-term major posto-perative complications following colorectal resection for endometriosis.

METHODS

A cohort study using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database from 2012-2020. We included patients with a primary diagnosis of endometriosis who underwent colon or rectal resections for endometriosis.

RESULTS

Of 755 women who underwent colorectal resection, 495 (65.6%) had laparoscopic surgery and 260 (34.4%) had open surgery. The major complication rate was 13.5% (n = 102). Women who underwent open surgery had a higher proportion of major complications (n = 53, 20.4% vs. n = 49, 9.9%, p < 0.001). In a multivariable regression analysis, Black race (aOR 95%CI 2.81 (1.60-4.92), p < 0.001), Hispanic ethnicity (aOR 95%CI 3.02 (1.42-6.43), p = 0.004), hypertension (aOR 95%CI 1.89 (1.08-3.30), p = 0.025), laparotomy (aOR 95%CI 1.64 (1.03-3.30), p = 0.025), concomitant enterotomy (aOR 95%CI 3.02 (1.26-7.21), p = 0.013), and hysterectomy (aOR 95%CI 2.59 (1.62-4.15), p < 0.001) were independently associated with major post-operative complications. In a subanalysis of laparoscopies only, Hispanic ethnicity, chronic hypertension, lysis of bowel adhesions, and hysterectomy were independently associated with major complications. In a subanalysis of laparotomies only, Black race and hysterectomy were independently positively associated with the occurrence of major complications.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a current population-based estimate of short-term complications after surgery for colorectal endometriosis in the USA. The identified risk factors for complications can assist during preoperative shared decision-making and informed consent process.

Risk Factors for Major Complications Following Minimally Invasive Surgeries for Endometriosis in the United States

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To study the rate and risk factors for short-term postoperative complications of patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for endometriosis in the United States.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2012 to 2020.

PATIENTS

Patients with endometriosis diagnosis.

INTERVENTIONS

Laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

We compared women with and without 30-day postoperative major complications, defined according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. A total of 28 697 women underwent MIS during the study period, of which 2.6% had major postoperative complications. Organ space surgical site infection and reoperation were the most common complications (47.0% and 39.8%, respectively). In multivariable regression analysis, African American race (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61 [1.29-2.01], p <.001), hypertension (aOR 95% CI 1.23 [1.01-1.50], p = .036), bleeding disorders (aOR 95% CI 1.96 [1.03-3.74], p = .041), bowel procedures (aOR 95% CI 1.93 [1.37-2.72], p <.001) and hysterectomy (aOR 95% CI 2.09 [1.67-2.63], p <.001) were independently associated with increased risk of major complications. In multivariable regression analysis of laparoscopies without bowel procedures, African American race, bleeding disorders, and hysterectomy were independently associated with increased major complication risk. Among cases with bowel procedures, African American race and colectomy were independently associated with increased major complication risk. In multivariable regression analysis of women who underwent hysterectomy, African American race, bleeding disorders, and lysis of adhesions were independently associated with increased major complications risk. Among women who underwent uterine-sparing surgery, African American race, hypertension, preoperative blood transfusion, and bowel procedures were independently associated with increased major complications risk.

CONCLUSION

Among women undergoing MIS for endometriosis, African American race, hypertension, bleeding disorders, and bowel surgery or hysterectomy are risk factors for major complications. African American race is a risk factor for major complications among women undergoing surgeries with and without bowel procedures or hysterectomy.

Disparities in Women With Endometriosis Regarding Access to Care, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management in the United States: A Scoping Review

Endometriosis is a benign gynecological condition that elicits chronic pain in 2-10% of reproductive-age women in the United States and exists in approximately 50% of women with infertility. It creates complications such as hemorrhage and uterine rupture. Historically, the gynecologic symptoms of endometriosis have been associated with economic strain and inferior quality of life. It is suspected that endometriosis diagnosis and treatment are affected by health disparities throughout gynecological care. The goal of this review was to collate and report the current evidence on potential healthcare disparities related to endometriosis diagnosis, treatment, and care across race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. This scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and searched the Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Medline Ovid, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science, and PsycInfo databases for relevant articles on the topic. Eligibility was established a priori to include articles written in English, published between 2015-2022, and reported on cohort, cross-sectional, or experimental studies conducted in the United States. Initially, 328 articles were found, and after screening and quality assessment, four articles were retained for the final review. Results indicated that White women had higher rates of minimally invasive procedures versus open abdominal surgeries than non-White women. White women also had fewer surgical complications compared to all other races and ethnicities. Black women had higher rates of perioperative complications, higher mortality, and spent more time in the perioperative stage than any other race or ethnicity. In the management of endometriosis, the limited research available showed that all non-White women encountered an increased risk of perioperative and postoperative complications compared to White women. More research is needed to explore diagnostic and treatment disparities beyond surgical management, socioeconomic barriers, and improved representation of racial and ethnic minority women.

Racial disparities in uterine fibroids and endometriosis: a systematic review and application of social, structural, and political context

IMPORTANCE

Uterine fibroids and endometriosis are 2 of the leading causes of morbidity among reproductive-aged women. There are significant racial disparities in disease prevalence, incidence, age of onset, and treatment profile in fibroids. The data on endometriosis are less clear.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic review of racial disparities in prevalence of uterine fibroids and endometriosis in the United States and summarize the literature on these 2 highly prevalent benign gynecologic conditions using a framework that explicitly incorporates and acknowledges the social, structural, and political contexts as a root cause of racial disparities between Black and White women.

EVIDENCE REVIEW

A systematic review regarding racial disparities in prevalence of fibroids and endometriosis was conducted separately. Two separate searches were conducted in PubMed to identify relevant original research manuscripts and prior systematic reviews regarding racial disparities in uterine fibroids and endometriosis using standardized search terms. In addition, we conducted a structured literature search to provide social, structural, and political context of the disparities.

FINDINGS

A systematic review of the literature indicated that the prevalence of uterine fibroids was consistently higher in Black than in White women with the magnitude of the difference varying depending on population and case definition. Prevalence of endometriosis varied considerably depending on the base population and case definition, but was the same or lower among Black vs. White women. As a result of the social, structural, and political context in the United States, Black women disproportionately experience a range of exposures across the life course that may contribute to their increased uterine fibroid incidence, prevalence, and severity of uterine fibroids. However, data suggest no racial difference in the incidence of endometriosis. Nevertheless, Black women with fibroids or endometriosis experience worse clinical and surgical outcomes than their White counterparts.

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

Racial disparities in uterine fibroids and endometriosis can be linked with differential exposures to suspected etiologic agents, lack of adequate access to health care, including highly skilled gynecologic surgeons, and bias and discrimination within the health care system. Eliminating these racial disparities will require solutions that address root causes of health disparities through policy, education and programs to ensure that all patients receive culturally- and structurally-competent care.