Pain and return to daily activities after uterine artery embolization and hysterectomy in the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids: results from the randomized EMMY trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of uterine artery embolization (UAE) and hysterectomy for symptomatic uterine fibroids by means of a randomized controlled trial. The present paper analyses short-term outcomes, i.e., pain and return to daily activities.


METHODS
Patients were randomized (1:1) to UAE or hysterectomy. Pain was assessed during admission and after discharge, both quantitatively and qualitatively, using a numerical rating scale and questionnaires. Time to return to daily activities was assessed by questionnaire.


RESULTS
Seventy-five patients underwent hysterectomy and 81 patients underwent UAE. UAE patients experienced significantly less pain during the first 24 hr after treatment (p = 0.012). Non-white patients had significantly higher pain scores. UAE patients returned significantly sooner to daily activities than hysterectomy patients (for paid work: 28.1 versus 63.4 days; p < 0.001). In conclusion, pain appears to be less after UAE during hospital stay. Return to several daily activities was in favor of UAE in comparison with hysterectomy.
Hehenkamp
Wouter J K
WJ
Department of Gynaecology, Academic Medical Centre, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, AZ, 1105, The Netherlands. w.j.k.hehenkamp@amc.nl
Volkers
Nicole A
NA
Birnie
Erwin
E
Reekers
Jim A
JA
Ankum
Willem M
WM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*