Symptom severity and quality of life of women with uterine leiomyomas
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Date
2005-06
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Uterine leiomyoma are benign smooth muscle tumors within the uterus (Lewis, 2004). Their etiology is unknown and they may cause a number of symptoms including urinary frequency, constipation, dyspareunia, and menorrhagia (Pron et al., (2003). Complications such as miscarriage, dysfunctional labor, Breech births, Caesarean sections and other problems of pregnancy, labor and birth are increased in women with leiomyoma as well (Coronado, Marshall, & Schwartz, 2000). Furthermore, the majority of all hysterectomies, which is the second most performed surgery in the United States, are received by women with uterine leiomyomas (Velebil, Wingo, Xia, Wilcox, & Peterson, 1995). Although uterine leiomyomas are one of the most common gynecological conditions, the condition does not receive much attention from the media or researchers.
Symptom severity and quality of life of women with leiomyomas have been investigated individually and along with other gynecological disorders. Many of these studies focused on the participants’ pain and menorrhagia. Few studies have evaluated the severity of symptoms such as bloating, constipation, and urinary frequency, which are unique to women with uterine leiomyomas because they are related to the bulk or placement of the leiomyomas. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the symptom severity and health-related quality of life of women with uterine leiomyoma using a tool that evaluates common symptoms of the condition. The possible correlation between symptom severity and health-related quality of life was also assessed.
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Keywords
uterine leiomyoma, quality of life, symptom severity