Impaired work performance among women with symptomatic uterine fibroids.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the work impact of symptomatic uterine fibroids (UFs).


METHODS
A cohort study compared 58 employed women with symptomatic UFs to 56 healthy controls. Data sources included a self-administered mail questionnaire and medical charts. At-work performance limitations and productivity loss were measured with the Work Limitations Questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate case-control group differences were tested.


RESULTS
Based on adjusted mean scores, the UF group had significantly more at-work limitations and productivity loss than controls, while absence rates were similar. The UF group's performance was impaired 18% of the time on average versus 8% for controls (P-values, 0.005-0.040). At-work limitations were explained by depression symptoms, Non-White race/ethnicity, and poorer health-related quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Fibroids and related symptoms impose a burden on the working lives' of women, their employers, and the economy.
Lerner
Debra
D
Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts School of Medicine and the Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA 02111, USA. dlerner@tuftsmedicalcenter.org
Mirza
Fadi G
FG
Mirza
Fadi
F
Chang
Hong
H
Renzulli
Karen
K
Perch
Katherine
K
Chelmow
David
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult