Health status function after treatment with thermal balloon endometrial ablation and levonorgestrel intrauterine system for idiopathic menorrhagia: a randomized study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare patients' health status function after treatment with thermal balloon endometrial ablation (TBEA) and levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for idiopathic menorrhagia.


METHODS
Forty-four patients were recruited into a randomized trial comparing their health status after treatment with TBEA or LNG-IUS for idiopathic menorrhagia.


RESULTS
At 1 year follow-up, the mean haemoglobin was significantly higher in women treated with TBEA (12.6 g/dl vs. 10.3 g/dl, p = 0.018). Iron deficiency occurred in 13.3% from the TBEA arm and in 50% from the LNG-IUS arm (p = 0.026). The women's mean Short Form 36 Questionnaire general health perception scores (54.9 vs. 40.5, p = 0.024) and mental health scores (49.5 vs. 38.3, p = 0.021) in TBEA arm were significantly higher than in the LNG-IUS arm. The mental health domain score was also significantly lower in the LNG-IUS arm (46.1 vs. 38.3, p = 0.041).


CONCLUSIONS
TBEA appears to offer better health status function at 1 year follow-up and to be more acceptable to our Chinese population in the treatment of idiopathic menorrhagia following failed medical treatment.
Tam
Wing Hung
WH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China. tamwh@cuhk.edu.hk
Yuen
Pong Mo
PM
Shan Ng
Doris Pui
DP
Leung
Pui Ling
PL
Lok
Ingrid Hung
IH
Rogers
Michael Scott
MS
D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004717:Endometrium; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008603:Mental Health; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D006454:Hemoglobins; D016912:Levonorgestrel