Rate, Type, and Cost of Invasive Interventions for Uterine Myomas in Germany, France, and England

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Study Objective The objective of our study was to quantify the rate, type, and cost of interventions for uterine myomas to payers in Germany, France, and England. Design Computations using data from national hospital activity databases. Design classification: II-3. Setting Hospital admissions in Germany, France, and England. Patients Women admitted for a surgical or radiologic intervention for uterine myomas. Interventions Surgical or radiologic interventions for uterine myomas. Measurements and Main Results We identified the number and type of hospital admissions involving surgical or radiologic interventions for uterine myomas, through the analysis of national hospital activity databases from each country. We calculated the costs of these hospitalizations to payers in these countries using the diagnosis-related group reimbursement rates. In 2005, the number (rate) of hospital admissions involving interventions for uterine myomas was 64 299 (1.53/1000 women) in Germany, 37 787 (1.17/1000 women) in France, and 18 274 (0.71/1000 women) in England. The annual costs of these interventions to payers were €212 313 090 in Germany, €73 278 270 in France (excluding surgeon and anesthetist fees for interventions in the private sector), and €52 674 672 in England. The percentage of interventions for uterine myomas that included a hysterectomy was 84.9% in Germany, 59.7% in France, and 64.1% in England. Conclusion The number of admissions and costs associated with interventions for uterine myomas are substantial in the 3 European countries studied. Hysterectomy is the most frequent surgical intervention used to treat uterine myomas. The results in this article provide useful information for policy makers wishing to evaluate the cost effectiveness and budget impact of new, less invasive interventions.