title: Outpatient versus inpatient uterine polyp treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding: randomised controlled non-inferiority study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effectiveness and acceptability of outpatient polypectomy with inpatient polypectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pragmatic multicentre randomised controlled non-inferiority study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient hysteroscopy clinics in 31 UK National Health Service hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  507 women who attended as outpatients for diagnostic hysteroscopy because of abnormal uterine bleeding and were found to have uterine polyps.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomly assigned to either outpatient uterine polypectomy under local anaesthetic or inpatient uterine polypectomy under general anaesthesia. Data were collected on women's self reported bleeding symptoms at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 months. Data were also collected on pain and acceptability of the procedure at the time of polypectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome was successful treatment, determined by the women's assessment of bleeding at six months, with a prespecified non-inferiority margin of 25%. Secondary outcomes included generic (EQ-5D) and disease specific (menorrhagia multi-attribute scale) quality of life, and feasibility and acceptability of the procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  73% (166/228) of women in the outpatient group and 80% (168/211) in the inpatient group reported successful treatment at six months (intention to treat relative risk 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.82 to 1.02; per protocol relative risk 0.92, 0.82 to 1.02). Failure to remove polyps was higher (19% v 7%; relative risk 2.5, 1.5 to 4.1) and acceptability of the procedure was lower (83% v 92%; 0.90, 0.84 to 0.97) in the outpatient group Quality of life did not differ significantly between the groups. Four uterine perforations, one of which necessitated bowel resection, all occurred in the inpatient group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Outpatient polypectomy was non-inferior to inpatient polypectomy. Failure to remove a uterine polyp was, however, more likely with outpatient polypectomy and acceptability of the procedure was slightly lower.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  International Clinical Trials Registry 65868569.
authors: Women's Health Research Unit, Queen Mary University of London, UK OPT Trial Office, Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Robert Aitken Institute for Clinical Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
authors: Natalie A M
authors: NA
authors: Cooper
authors: Birmingham Women's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK Justin.clark@bwhct.nhs.uk.
authors: T Justin
authors: TJ
authors: Clark
authors: OPT Trial Office, Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Robert Aitken Institute for Clinical Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
authors: Lee
authors: L
authors: Middleton
authors: Health Economics Unit, School of Health and Population Science, University of Birmingham, UK.
authors: Lavanya
authors: L
authors: Diwakar
authors: Birmingham Women's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, UK.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Smith
authors: Centre for Health and Social Care Research, Birmingham City University, UK.
authors: Elaine
authors: E
authors: Denny
authors: Health Economics Unit, School of Health and Population Science, University of Birmingham, UK.
authors: Tracy
authors: T
authors: Roberts
authors: School of Allied and Public Health Professions, Birmingham City University, UK.
authors: Lynda
authors: L
authors: Stobert
authors: Health Economics Unit, School of Health and Population Science, University of Birmingham, UK.
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Jowett
authors: OPT Trial Office, Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Robert Aitken Institute for Clinical Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Daniels
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D057186:Comparative Effectiveness Research; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011127:Polyps / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*