Uterine leiomyomata associated with self-reported stress urinary incontinence

Prevalence of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Women Planning to Undergo Hysterectomy for Uterine Leiomyoma and Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Introduction: Leiomyomas are associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), but more specific characterization of their impact on LUTS is needed. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 202 participants (101 per group) who underwent hysterectomy for leiomyomas versus abnormal uterine bleeding nonclassified (AUB-N) from July 2015 to May 2019. Baseline demographics, leiomyoma characteristics, and presence of baseline LUTS were collected. The main objective was to compare the prevalence of LUTS between these two groups. Secondary objectives were to analyze the association between leiomyoma characteristics and the prevalence of LUTS. Results: There was no difference in baseline prevalence of LUTS between the hysterectomy for leiomyoma versus AUB-N groups (42.6% vs. 45.5%, p = 0.67). When examining the entire study cohort of participants, irrespective of hysterectomy indication, leiomyoma size >6 cm was associated with an increased prevalence of LUTS when compared with leiomyoma <6 cm (64.9% vs. 40.4%, p = 0.02), and specifically difficulty passing urine (p = 0.02), nocturia (p = 0.04), and urinary frequency (p = 0.04). When controlling for age, body mass index, parity, chronic pelvic pain, and diabetes, leiomyomas >6 cm remained significantly associated with the presence of LUTS (odds ratio 3.1, 95% confidence interval = 1.2-8.3) when compared with leiomyoma <6 cm. Presence of >1 leiomyoma was associated with urinary frequency (67.9% vs. 32.1%, p = 0.02) when compared with ≤1 leiomyoma. Anterior location and uterine volume were not associated with a difference in LUTS. Conclusion: LUTS are prevalent in those planning hysterectomy for leiomyoma and AUB-N. Leiomyomas >6 cm are associated with the presence of LUTS. Future studies should evaluate change in LUTS following hysterectomy for leiomyomas.

Nationwide assessment of practice variability in the utilization of hysteropexy at laparoscopic apical suspension for uterine prolapse

BACKGROUND

Although hysteropexy has been used to preserve the uterus during uterine prolapse surgery for a long time, there is a scarcity of data that describe the nationwide patterns of use of this surgical procedure.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the national-level use and characteristics of hysteropexy at the time of laparoscopic apical suspension surgery for uterine prolapse in the United States.

STUDY DESIGN

This cross-sectional study used data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's Nationwide Ambulatory Surgery Sample. The study population included 55,608 patients with a diagnosis of uterine prolapse who underwent laparoscopic apical suspension surgery from 2016 to 2019. Patients who had a hysterectomy were assigned to the hysterectomy group, and those who did not have a hysterectomy were assigned to the hysteropexy group. The main outcome was clinical characteristics associated with hysteropexy, assessed using a multivariable binary logistic regression model. A classification tree was further constructed to assess the use pattern of hysteropexy during laparoscopic apical suspension procedures. The secondary outcome was surgical morbidity, including urinary tract injury, intestinal injury, vascular injury, and hemorrhage.

RESULTS

A hysteropexy was performed in 6500 (11.7%) patients. In a multivariable analysis, characteristics associated with increased use of a hysteropexy included (1) patient factors, such as older age, Medicare coverage, private insurance, self-pay, and medical comorbidity; (2) pelvic floor dysfunction factor of complete uterine prolapse; and (3) hospital factors, including medium bed capacity center and location in the Southern United States (all P<.05). Conversely, (1) the patient factor of higher household income; (2) gynecologic factors such as uterine myoma, adenomyosis, and benign ovarian pathology; (3) pelvic floor dysfunction factor with stress urinary incontinence; and (4) hospital factors including Midwest and West United States regions and rural setting center were associated with decreased use of a hysteropexy (all P<.05). A classification tree identified a total of 14 use patterns for hysteropexies during laparoscopic apical suspension procedures. The strongest factor that dictated the use of a hysteropexy was the presence or absence of uterine myomas; the rate of hysteropexy use was decreased to 5.6% if myomas were present in comparison with 15% if there were no myomas (P<.001). Second layer factors were adenomyosis and hospital region. Patients who did not have uterine myomas or adenomyosis and who underwent surgery in the Southern United States had the highest rate of undergoing a hysteropexy (22.6%). Across the 14 use patterns, the percentage rate difference between the highest and lowest uptake patterns was 22.0%. Patients who underwent a hysteropexy were less likely to undergo anteroposterior colporrhaphy, posterior colporrhaphy, and sling procedures (all P<.05). Hysteropexy was associated with a decreased risk for measured surgical morbidity (3.0 vs 5.4 per 1000 procedures; adjusted odds ratio, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.36-0.90).

CONCLUSION

The results of these current, real-world practice data suggest that hysteropexies are being performed at the time of ambulatory laparoscopic apical suspension surgery for uterine prolapse. There is substantial variability in the application of hysteropexy based on patient, gynecologic, pelvic floor dysfunction, and hospital factors. Developing clinical practice guidelines to address this emerging surgical practice may be of use.

Assessment of Adverse Events in a Matched Cohort of Women Undergoing Concurrent Midurethral Sling at the Time of Minimally Invasive Benign Gynecologic Surgery

IMPORTANCE

Procedures for stress urinary incontinence and benign gynecologic surgery are often performed concurrently, and associated complication rates have previously been unexplored.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare postoperative complication rates between women undergoing midurethral sling (MUS) placement at the time of benign gynecologic surgery and those undergoing MUS alone.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective matched cohort study of women undergoing MUS with or without concurrent minimally invasive benign gynecologic surgery from January 2010 through December 2020. Eligible women undergoing concurrent surgery were matched to a cohort of women undergoing MUS placement alone. The electronic medical record was queried for demographic and perioperative/postoperative data up to 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight women met inclusion criteria for the concurrent group, and 152 women were matched accordingly. The overall adverse event rate was 39.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25-0.55) for the concurrent group and 24.3% (95% CI, 0.18-0.32) for the MUS-only group ( P = 0.05). Adverse events with Clavien-Dindo grade ≤ 2 were higher in the concurrent group (Clavien-Dindo Grade 1: 5% vs 0%, P = 0.04; Clavien-Dindo Grade 2: 16% vs 6%, P = 0.04), as was composite postoperative resource utilization (76% vs 49%, P = 0.003). Mesh exposure ( P = 0.03) and sling lysis/excision rates ( P = 0.02) were higher in the concurrent group. On logistic regression, concurrent surgery cases remained significantly associated with sling mesh erosion (adjusted odds ratio, 12.6; 95% CI, 1.4-116.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Midurethral sling placement at the time of minimally invasive benign gynecologic surgery is safe but is associated with a higher incidence of postoperative hospital resource utilization and sling mesh extrusion, and a need for revision.

Fibroids and Urinary Symptoms Study (FUSS)

OBJECTIVE

The aims of the study were to characterize pelvic floor and urinary symptoms in women seeking treatment for uterine fibroids and to explore the association between uterine/fibroid size and pelvic floor symptoms.

METHODS

Women seeking treatment for uterine fibroids at a single academic center were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All participants underwent pelvic imaging and completed the Symptom Severity Subscale of the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (UFS-QOL) and the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20).

RESULTS

One hundred ninety-five women with a mean age of 41 ± 6 years and body mass index of 29 ± 7 kg/m2 were included. In this cohort, 58% identified as Black and 38% had at least 1 vaginal delivery. Women attributed pelvic pain (68%), dyspareunia (37%), and urinary incontinence (31%) to their fibroids. The mean ± SD UFS-QOL score was 48.7 ± 25.4, and 63% of participants reported being at least "somewhat bothered" by tightness/pressure in pelvic area, 60% by frequent daytime urination, and 47% by nocturia. The mean PFDI-20 score was 45.5 ± 31.9. Women reported being at least "somewhat bothered" by heaviness/dullness in the pelvis (60%), frequent urination (56%), pelvic pain or discomfort (48%), and sensation of incomplete bladder emptying (43%). The PFDI-20 and UFS-QOL scores were not correlated with uterine volume (r = 0.12, P = 0.12, and r = 0.06, P = 0.44) or fibroid size (r = 0.09, P = 0.26, and r = 0.01, P = 0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

Women presenting for evaluation and treatment of fibroids report high rates of pelvic floor symptoms, particularly urinary frequency and pelvic pressure. However, uterine size and fibroid size are not associated with pelvic floor symptom bother.

Uterine myomas and lower urinary tract dysfunctions: A literature review

Different types of urinary symptoms associated with myomas are reported, including urinary incontinence or dysuria. They are rarely investigated in patients and their prevalence is not well known. While myomas are the first reason to perform hysterectomy in France, few studies have evaluated the impact of surgical treatment in women with urinary symptoms. Our objective was to conduct a review of the literature regarding urinary symptoms associated with myomas and the impact of their treatment on these symptoms. We reviewed articles indexed in MEDLINE dealing with urinary symptoms and myomas, and published until September 2018. The prevalence of urinary symptoms in women with uterine myomas is highly variable depending on whether the authors are interested in symptoms or urodynamic results. The most frequently reported urinary symptoms are urgency (31-59%), dysuria (4-36%) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI, 20 80%). While some studies have found the anterior location of myomas and the size superior to 5 cm as a risk factor for UI, other studies have not found a correlation between myomas topography and symptom scores. The treatments of uterine myomas seem to have an impact on women's urinary symptoms. Although hysterectomy is considered as a risk factor for pelvic floor disorders, the removal of the uterus may sometimes improve or cure urinary symptoms. Most authors also found a significant improvement in urinary symptom scores after myomectomy and myomas embolization. More studies are needed to clarify the impact of myomas treatment on urinary symptoms.

Impact of uterine fibroid symptoms on health-related quality of life of US women: evidence from a cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Uterine fibroids (UF) are associated with significant health-related quality of life (HRQL) impact. This study examined the impact of UF symptoms on HRQL.

METHODS

An online cross-sectional survey of 18 to 49 year old US women was conducted and collected demographics, UF prevalence, symptoms, and HRQL using the UFS-QOL. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the impact of symptom presence, severity, bothersomeness, and number of UF symptoms on HRQL. Analyses were weighted to match the US female population distribution. Multivariate regressions were performed with each subscale as a dependent variable to examine the impact of individual UF symptoms on HRQL.

RESULTS

A total of 59,411 (15.5%) panel members completed the prevalence screener; 4848 met inclusion criteria; 955 had UF and no hysterectomy. Mean age was 40.3; 58% were white; 63% were married/civil union. Common UF symptoms were: lower back pain (65%), fatigue/weariness (63%), bloating (61%), pelvic pain/cramping during menses (63%), and heavy bleeding during menses (54%). Mean UFS-QoL subscale scores were significantly (p < .05) worse among women with a UF symptom versus women without the symptom. Women who rated their UF symptoms as severe had significantly (p < .001) worse UFS-QoL scores than women with mild or moderate symptoms. UFS-QoL subscale scores worsened as the number of symptoms increased. In the regressions, the presence of bleeding and non-bleeding symptoms were related to worse UFS-QoL subscale scores.

CONCLUSION

HRQL among women with UF was significantly impacted by UF-related symptoms. Greater impact was observed as the number and severity of symptoms increased.

A single baseline ultrasound assessment of fibroid presence and size is strongly predictive of future uterine procedure: 8-year follow-up of randomly sampled premenopausal women aged 35-49 years

STUDY QUESTION

How well can a single baseline ultrasound assessment of fibroid burden (presence or absence of fibroids and size of largest, if present) predict future probability of having a major uterine procedure?

SUMMARY ANSWER

During an 8-year follow-up period, the risk of having a major uterine procedure was 2% for those without fibroids and increased with fibroid size for those with fibroids, reaching 47% for those with fibroids ≥ 4 cm in diameter at baseline.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Uterine fibroids are a leading indication for hysterectomy. However, when fibroids are found, there are few available data to help clinicians advise patients about disease progression.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Women who were 35-49 years old were randomly selected from the membership of a large urban health plan; 80% of those determined to be eligible were enrolled and screened with ultrasound for fibroids ≥ 0.5 cm in diameter. African-American and white premenopausal participants who responded to at least one follow-up interview (N = 964, 85% of those eligible) constituted the study cohort. During follow-up (5822 person-years), participants self-reported any major uterine procedure (67% hysterectomies). Life-table analyses and Cox regression (with censoring for menopause) were used to estimate the risk of having a uterine procedure for women with no fibroids, small (<2 cm in diameter), medium (2-3.9 cm), and large fibroids (≥ 4 cm). Differences between African-American and white women, importance of a clinical diagnosis of fibroids prior to study enrollment, and the impact of submucosal fibroids on risk were investigated.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

There was a greater loss to follow-up for African-Americans than whites (19 versus 11%). For those with follow-up data, 64% had fibroids at baseline, 33% of whom had had a prior diagnosis. Of those with fibroids, 27% had small fibroids (<2 cm in diameter), 46% had medium (largest fibroid 2-3.9 cm in diameter), and 27% had large fibroids (largest ≥ 4 cm in diameter). Twenty-one percent had at least one submucosal fibroid.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Major uterine procedures were reported by 115 women during follow-up. The estimated risk of having a procedure in any given year of follow-up for those with fibroids compared with those without fibroids increased markedly with fibroid-size category (from 4-fold, confidence interval (CI) (1.4-11.1) for the small fibroids to 10-fold, CI (4.4-24.8) for the medium fibroids, to 27-fold, CI (11.5-65.2) for the large fibroids). This influence of fibroid size on risk did not differ between African-Americans and whites (P-value for interaction = 0.88). Once fibroid size at enrollment was accounted for, having a prior diagnosis at the time of ultrasound screening was not predictive of having a procedure. Exclusion of women with a submucosal fibroid had little influence on the results. The 8-year risk of a procedure based on lifetable analyses was 2% for women with no fibroids, 8, 23, and 47%, respectively, for women who had small, medium or large fibroids at enrollment. Given the strong association of fibroid size with subsequent risk of a procedure, these findings are unlikely to be due to chance.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Despite a large sample size, the number of women having procedures during follow-up was relatively small. Thus, covariates such as BMI, which were not important in our analyses, may have associations that were too small to detect with our sample size. Another limitation is that the medical procedures were self-reported. However, we attempted to retrieve medical records when participants agreed, and 77% of the total procedures reported were verified. Our findings are likely to be generalizable to other African-American and white premenopausal women in their late 30s and 40s, but other ethnic groups have not been studied.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Though further studies are needed to confirm and extend the results, our findings provide an initial estimate of disease progression that will be helpful to clinicians and their patients.

Effects of a single rectal dose of Misoprostol prior to abdominal hysterectomy in women with symptomatic leiomyoma: a randomized double blind clinical trial

Background

Fibroma, the most common benign pelvic tumor in women, affects 25 to 30% of women of reproductive age. Primary treatment for patients with symptomatic or large fibroma is surgery.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a single rectal dose of Misoprostol on bleeding during abdominal hysterectomy.

Methods

This double blind randomized clinical trial was conducted with 80 candidates for abdominal hysterectomy, due to uterine myoma, in the Shahid Sadoughi hospital of Yazd in 2012. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of single rectal dose of Misoprostol on peri-operational abdominal hysterectomy bleeding. Following administration of 400 micrograms of Misoprostol in the case group (n=40), predetermined criteria were compared with control group (n=40).

Results

Volume of bleeding during the operation was significantly lower in cases where Misoprostol was used. (268.71 ± 156.85 vs. 350.38 ± 152.61 cc in the case and control groups, respectively). Our findings also showed that Hemoglobin (Hb) levels before, 8, and 30 hours following the operation differed significantly (p=0.001), but these changes were similar in both groups. Pre-operative Hb levels were 11.90 ± 1.7 and 11.90 ± 2.0 in the case and control groups, respectively.

Conclusion

A single rectal dose of Misoprostol has positive effect on reducing peri-operational bleeding in women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy due to symptomatic leiomyoma.

Intraobserver variability in fibroid size measurements: estimated effects on assessing fibroid growth

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate intraobserver variability of fibroid sonographic measurements and apply this factor to fibroid growth assessment.

METHODS

Study participants were African American women aged 23 to 34 years who had never had a diagnosis of uterine fibroids. All participants underwent transvaginal sonography to screen for the presence of previously undiagnosed fibroids (≥0.5 cm in diameter). The diameters of up to 6 fibroids were measured in 3 perpendicular planes at 3 separate times during the examinations by experienced sonographers. Intraobserver variability as measured by the coefficient of variation (CV) for fibroid diameter and volume was calculated for each fibroid, and factors associated with the CV were assessed by regression models. The impact of variability on growth assessment was determined.

RESULTS

Ninety-six of 300 women screened were found to have at least 1 fibroid, yielding a total of 174 fibroids for this analysis. The mean CV for the 3 measurements of fibroid maximum diameter was 5.9%. The mean CV for fibroid volume was 12.7%. Fibroid size contributed significantly to intraobserver variability (P = .04), with greater variability for smaller fibroids. Fibroid type (submucosal, intramural, or subserosal) was not important. Fibroids from the same woman tended to have similar measurement variability when assessed for volume but not for maximum diameter. Calculations showed that when following up fibroids, as much as a 20% increase in diameter could be due to measurement error, not "true growth."

CONCLUSIONS

A small fibroid must have a greater change in size than a large fibroid to conclude that it is growing, but even for small fibroids an increase in diameter of greater than 20% is likely to indicate true growth, not measurement variability.

Genitourinary symptoms and their effects on quality of life in women with uterine myomas

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

This study was designed to determine the presence of genitourinary symptoms and their effects on quality of life (QOL) in women with uterine myomas.

METHODS

A total of 145 women with ultrasonography (US) diagnosis of anterior myoma were divided into two groups according to myoma size: (1) those ≤5 cm (n = 75), and (2) those >5 cm (n = 70). The control group comprised previously matched 94 women with a normal-appearing uterus on US. Study participants answered the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7). Pelvic examination was performed, and urinary symptoms were recorded. The chi-square test and Fischer's exact test were used to compare qualitative data. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn's test were used to compare groups. Statistical significance was set at P <0.05.

RESULTS

The frequency of genitourinary symptoms was significantly higher in women with myomas, including stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urgency, frequency, urge urinary incontinence (UUI), and dyspareunia. SUI and mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) were the most common symptoms associated with myoma size. Total UDI-6 scores were significantly higher in women with myomas than in control patients (P < 0.0001). UDI scores associated with UI and obstructive symptoms were higher in women with myomas >5 cm than in other women. IIQ scores regarding physical activity, travel, and emotional health were significantly higher in women with myomas >5 cm than in other women (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Urinary tract dysfunction is associated with anterior myomas, increasing in association with myoma size, and significantly affects QOL.