title: Economic and clinical benefits of radiofrequency ablation versus hysterectomy in patients suffering from menorrhagia: a retrospective analysis with German health claims data.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess clinical and economic benefits of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) compared to hysterectomy when treating patients suffering from menorrhagia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on German health claims data, a retrospective, longitudinal, observational analysis was performed. Patients having continuously statutory health insurance coverage during the study and being coded for menorrhagia and a relevant treatment option were included in the analysis. The control group was created using propensity score matching.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We discovered that using RFA generates cost savings of €1844 during the quarter of performance. As direct costs during a 2-year follow-up show similar levels in both groups, these initial savings can be preserved. This is partly because even if more patients in the RFA group were re-coded for menorrhagia after initial therapy, just a small proportion of these patients required another surgical intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RFA should more often be considered a relevant treatment option both from an economic and a medical point of view.
authors.affiliation: HGC GesundheitsConsult GmbH, Moersenbroicher Weg 200, 40470 Duesseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kessel
authors.forename: Juergen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hucke
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Goergen
authors.forename: Ruediger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Soeder
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Roemer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D015897:Comorbidity; D055356:Endometrial Ablation Techniques / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000191:economics / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011846:Radio Waves; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Germany; costs; health claims data; hysterectomy; menorrhagia; radiofrequency ablation