Impact of periodic health examination on surgical treatment for uterine fibroids in Beijing: a case-control study.
BACKGROUND
During the past 2 decades, there has been a rapid proliferation of "health examination center (HEC)" across China. The effects of their services on public's health have not been systemically investigated. This study aimed to assess the impact of periodic health examination (PHE) at HEC on surgical treatment for uterine fibroids in Beijing residents.


METHODS
We identified 224 patients with a primary diagnosis of uterine fibroids who had surgical treatment at four Level-1 general hospitals in Beijing, from June 1, 2009 to October 20, 2009. Controls were women who did not have surgery for uterine fibroids, matched (1:1 ratio) for age (within 2 years). A standard questionnaire was used to inquire about whether participants had PHE at HEC during the previous 2 years.


RESULTS
PHE at HEC within 2 years were associated with surgical treatment for uterine fibroids. Odds ratios was 4.05 (95% CI, 2.61-6.29 P < 0.001), after adjustment for marital status, whether have children, annual family income, health insurance, education level and self-rated uterine fibroids-related symptom severity.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed PHE currently provided at HEC in China were associated with significantly increased use of surgical treatment for uterine fibroids in women. Further studies are needed to assess the effects of PHE on clinical as well as on broad societal outcomes in Chinese in contemporary medical settings.
Institute of Geriatric Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, P R China. why46301@163.com
Hai-Yun
HY
Wu
Ling-Ling
LL
Yang
Shan
S
Zhou
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D035061:Control Groups; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*