Cristobal I, Lete LI, Viuda EDL, Perulero N, Arbat A, Canals I. One year quality of life measured with SEC-QoL in levonorgestrel 52 mg IUS users.
Contraception 2016;
93:367-371. [PMID:
26764120 DOI:
10.1016/j.contraception.2015.12.014]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
The present study aims to prospectively evaluate quality of life (QoL) of women using 52-mg levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for contraception determined through the Sociedad Española de Contracepción (Spanish contraception Society) (SEC)-QoL, a questionnaire specifically designed to assess the impact of contraceptive methods on QoL of fertile women.
STUDY DESIGN
We conducted a prospective observational multicenter study of 201 reproductive age women who initiated the LNG-IUS for contraception. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected at baseline and 12 months afterwards. Participants filled in the SEC-QoL questionnaire at both visits. SEQ-QoL scores range from 0 (worst QoL) to 100 (best QoL).
RESULTS
Participants claimed an increased QoL 12 months after insertion in all five dimensions of SEC-QoL due to its high contraceptive efficacy and its capability to reduce other menstrual symptoms (e.g., heavy menstrual bleeding or dysmenorrhoea), overall exerting a positive impact on user's satisfaction. SEC-QoL general overall score went from a mean (S.D.) score of 46.3 (17.3) at baseline to 72.2 (14.8) 12 months afterwards (p<.001). Overall, 94.6% of women claimed having found additional benefits other than contraception. No pregnancies were reported during the 12 months of study duration, and only 14 women discontinued use of LNG-IUS (only two of them due to an adverse event), representing a continuation rate of 93%.
CONCLUSIONS
Women using LNG-IUS for contraception have an increased QoL after 12 months of use, demonstrated by the increased score in all dimensions of the SEC-QoL questionnaire.
IMPLICATIONS
The present study prospectively evaluated QoL of women using LNG-IUS for contraception through the SEC-QoL questionnaire. Participants claimed increased QoL 12 months afterwards, implying that women using LNG-IUS for contraception in usual clinical practise also benefit from the reduction of period-related symptoms, overall leading to very low discontinuation rates.
Collapse