Abnormal uterine bleeding, health status, and usual source of medical care: analyses using the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey.
BACKGROUND
Traditionally, research on abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) focused on measured menstrual blood loss. However, the main burden of this symptom from the patient perspective is its impact on quality of life. Better describing the demographic characteristics, quality of life, and utilization of medical care of women with AUB could assist with health resource planning for this population.


METHODS
We analyzed data from the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey from 2002 to 2010. AUB was identified by International Classification of Diseases, ninth edition (ICD-9) code group 626, disorders of menstruation and other abnormal bleeding from the female genital tract. Health-related quality of life was assessed by the Short-form 12 Health Survey (SF-12, QualityMetric) physical and mental component summary scores (PCS and MCS). Poorer health-related quality of life was defined as PCS or MCS <50. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of AUB with poorer SF-12 scores and having a usual source of care were estimated by multivariable logistic regression models.


RESULTS
Data analyzed represented an annual average of 56.2 million nonpregnant women between ages 18 and 50 years. We estimate that 1.4 million women per year (95% CI: 1.3-1.5 million) reported AUB. Women with AUB were more likely to be younger, Caucasian, and obese than women without AUB. Compared to women without AUB, women with AUB had greater odds of a poorer PCS score (OR=1.30, 95% CI: 1.10-1.55), a poorer MCS score (OR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.10-1.51), and a usual source of care (OR=1.85, 95% CI: 1.44-2.38).


CONCLUSIONS
AUB is associated with diminished physical and mental health status and having a usual source of medical care.
1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University , Providence, Rhode Island.
Kristen A
KA
Matteson
Christina A
CA
Raker
Melissa A
MA
Clark
Kevin D
KD
Frick
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D016015:Logistic Models; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult