Design: Retrospective chart review of patients presenting for fibroid care. The Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life (UFS-QOL) questionnaire, as well as a center-specific Life Goals Questionnaire (LGQ), were distributed to patients via electronic medical record prior to their first appointment. The LGQ allowed patients to report prior treatments.

Setting: U.S.-based urban academic center

Patients or Participants: 302 patients presenting to a fibroid center between May 2022 and March 2023.

Interventions: N/A

Measurements and Main Results:

Of 302 patients presenting for care, 169 (56%) filled out both the UFS-QOL and LGQ. 42 (25%) patients reported prior fibroid treatment. 34 (20%) patients reported prior procedural treatment (PT), and 24 (14%) reported prior medical management (MM). 16 (9%) patients reported both PT and MM, while 18 (11%) patients reported only PT and 8 (5%) patients reported only MM. 6 (4%) patients reported two or more prior procedures. PT included myomectomy, radiofrequency ablation, and uterine artery embolization. MM included hormonal contraception, gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists, ibuprofen, supplements, and tranexamic acid.

Patients reporting PT had significantly higher Symptom Severity Scores (SSS) (p<0.0001) and lower health-related quality of life scores (HRQoL) (p<0.0001) on the UFS-QOL compared to patients with no PT. Patients reporting MM had significantly higher SSS (p<0.001) and lower HRQoL (p<0.0001) compared to patients with no MM.

Between patients reporting PT and patients reporting MM alone, there was no significant difference in SSS (p=0.22) or HRQoL (p=0.32). The proportion of non-White patients did not differ significantly among those reporting PT (p=0.18) or MM (p=0.54).

Conclusion: At time of presentation to care, patients reporting prior fibroid treatment had significantly higher symptom burden compared to patients reporting no prior treatment. Patients who have failed prior fibroid treatment may benefit from referral to a dedicated fibroid center.