Genitourinary symptoms and their effects on quality of life in women with uterine myomas

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis: This study was designed to determine the presence of genitourinary symptoms and their effects on quality of life (QOL) in women with uterine myomas.

Methods: A total of 145 women with ultrasonography (US) diagnosis of anterior myoma were divided into two groups according to myoma size: (1) those ≤5 cm (n = 75), and (2) those >5 cm (n = 70). The control group comprised previously matched 94 women with a normal-appearing uterus on US. Study participants answered the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7). Pelvic examination was performed, and urinary symptoms were recorded. The chi-square test and Fischer's exact test were used to compare qualitative data. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn's test were used to compare groups. Statistical significance was set at P <0.05.

Results: The frequency of genitourinary symptoms was significantly higher in women with myomas, including stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urgency, frequency, urge urinary incontinence (UUI), and dyspareunia. SUI and mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) were the most common symptoms associated with myoma size. Total UDI-6 scores were significantly higher in women with myomas than in control patients (P < 0.0001). UDI scores associated with UI and obstructive symptoms were higher in women with myomas >5 cm than in other women. IIQ scores regarding physical activity, travel, and emotional health were significantly higher in women with myomas >5 cm than in other women (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Urinary tract dysfunction is associated with anterior myomas, increasing in association with myoma size, and significantly affects QOL.