title: Hemoglobin levels predict quality of life in women with heavy menstrual bleeding.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to evaluate the effects of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) on the quality of life (QoL).
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, observational study was conducted including 58 patients with HMB, aged 35 years or older, with a negative pregnancy test result, menstrual blood loss >80 ml, uterine volume up to 200 cc and negative endometrial biopsy. The QoL was evaluated by interview using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Blood loss, measured by Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart (PBAC), and hemoglobin levels were also assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Pearson coefficient correlation test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The age of the patients ranged from 35 to 52 years (42.8+/-0.2 years). Increase in monthly expenses, negative implications in conjugal life, work impairment and health-care utilization due to HMB were seen in 96.5, 94.7, 66.7 and 59.6% of the patients, respectively. Hemoglobin levels correlated to SF-36 physical and mental composites scores (p=0.020 and p=0.027, respectively). PBAC score was not correlated with the QoL (physical composite score: p=0.222 and mental composite score: p=0.642) or with hemoglobin levels (r=-0.065; p=0.278). Hemoglobin and QoL showed significant improvement after treatment (p<0.001). Hemoglobin level was the only independent predictor of the QoL measured by SF-36 physical (p=0.03) and mental (p=0.04) composites scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HMB had significant repercussions in the social, medical and economic aspects of women. The impact on the QoL was associated with the hematimetric parameters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Professor Alfredo Balena 190, Santa Efigênia, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130100, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sérgio Simões
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: Aroldo F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Camargos
authors.forename: Márcia Cristina França
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de Assis Nunes Pereira
authors.forename: Carolina Passos
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: de Rezende
authors.forename: Cícero Augusto Alves
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: Agnaldo Lopes
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Silva Filho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins