The effect of myomectomy on health‐related quality of life of women with myoma uteri

Abstract

An equal consideration should be paid to improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in addition to successful medical outcome. Many studies have evaluated the effect of other methods rather than myomectomy on HRQoL, and have focused solely on the presence of myoma without regarding any concurrent pelvic pathology. This study involved 80 patients with myomas and 75 controls. Domains of the Short Form - 36 (SF-36) questionnaire were evaluated pre- and postoperatively in 72 women with myomas. Furthermore, any correlations between myoma characteristics and SF-36 physical components (PC) and mental components (MC) were investigated. All SF-36 domains were lower in women with myoma uteri than in the control group, except for physical and social function. There was no correlation between PC and MC scores and the number, location and total volume of the myomas. However, fundal and posteriorly positioned myomas were related with the PC score, and posterior myomas with the MC score. Women with uteri over 200 cm(3) had significantly lower mean PC and MC scores. After myomectomy, all SF-36 domains were improved except for physical function and mental health. The findings from this study suggest that myomectomy improves HRQoL, and that myoma characteristics may modulate quality of life domains.