Treatment Goals and Symptoms of Patients Presenting to a Center for Fibroid Care [ID 2683523

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Multidisciplinary fibroid centers represent a new model of fibroid care. We evaluated the goals and symptoms of patients presenting to our center. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients presenting between June 2022 and June 2023. Patients were sent the Uterine Fibroid Symptom Quality of Life (UFS-QOL) survey and a goals questionnaire prior to first appointment. Patients who completed both were included. We obtained age, race, most recent hemoglobin level (Hgb), largest fibroid type on most recent imaging, composite symptom severity score (SS), and health-related QOL score (HRQL). This study met IRB exemption criteria. RESULTS: Of 581 patients, 326 (56%) completed both surveys. Mean age was 43.0 years (SD 8.0). Patients identified as Black (35.3%), White (24.8%), Asian (8.9%), and other/multiple race (7.7%). Most patients' largest fibroid was subserosal (37%), followed by intramural (28.7%), submucosal (5.9%), and combined type (28.3%). There was no difference in SS (P=.307) or HRQL (P=.504) between these groups. Most patients (60.7%) selected a top goal of symptom elimination, followed by treating anemia (21.2%) and becoming pregnant (18.1%). Almost a quarter (26.4%) reported difficulty conceiving, and they had higher SS (mean difference [MD] −6.1; 95% CI, −12.1, −0.6) and lower HRQL (MD 7.2; 95% CI, 0.4, 14.0). Patients with Hgb below 12 had higher SS (MD −8.6; 95% CI, −14.6, −2.7) and lower HRQL (MD 8.0; 95% CI, 1.1, 15.0). CONCLUSION: Most patients reported a primary goal of symptom elimination. Difficulty conceiving and low Hgb were associated with worse symptoms, yielding insight into treatment opportunities affecting QOL.