The responsiveness of the uterine fibroid symptom and health-related quality of life questionnaire (UFS-QOL)
2008

Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life Questionnaire Responsiveness

Sample size: 102 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Harding Gale, Coyne Karin S, Thompson Christine L, Spies James B

Primary Institution: United BioSource Corporation

Hypothesis

The study aims to evaluate the responsiveness of the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (UFS-QOL) in patients treated for uterine fibroids.

Conclusion

The UFS-QOL is responsive to treatment for uterine fibroids and is a useful outcome measure for uterine-sparing uterine fibroid treatments.

Supporting Evidence

  • The UFS-QOL showed significant improvements in symptom severity and health-related quality of life scores.
  • Effect sizes for UFS-QOL subscales ranged from 0.74 to -1.9, indicating high responsiveness.
  • Patients who reported improvement in symptoms had significantly greater change scores in UFS-QOL.
  • All UFS-QOL subscales demonstrated large effect sizes from baseline to month 6.

Takeaway

This study shows that a special questionnaire can help doctors understand how well treatments for uterine fibroids are working by asking patients about their symptoms and quality of life.

Methodology

A post-hoc analysis of patients treated with MRI-guided focused ultrasound thermal ablation for uterine fibroids, assessing UFS-QOL and SF-36 at baseline and follow-ups.

Limitations

The study lacked a placebo group, making it difficult to rule out the placebo effect.

Participant Demographics

Mean age was 45 years; 79% were Caucasian.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p < 0.0001

Statistical Significance

p < 0.0001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1477-7525-6-99

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