Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2017 Apr;139(4):846e-853e.
doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000003171.

Understanding the Health Burden of Macromastia: Normative Data for the BREAST-Q Reduction Module

Lily R Mundy  1   2 , Karen Homa  1   2 , Anne F Klassen  1   2 , Andrea L Pusic  1   2 , Carolyn L Kerrigan  1   2
Affiliations

Understanding the Health Burden of Macromastia: Normative Data for the BREAST-Q Reduction Module

Lily R Mundy et al. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2017 Apr.

Abstract

Background: The BREAST-Q Reduction module evaluates outcomes in reduction mammaplasty. However, there are currently no published normative scores, limiting the interpretation of BREAST-Q data.

Methods: The BREAST-Q Reduction module was administered via the Army of Women, an online community of women (with and without breast cancer) engaged in breast-cancer related research. Normative data were generated from women aged 18 years and older, without a history of breast cancer or breast surgery. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and a linear multivariate regression. Generated normative data were compared to published BREAST-Q Reduction findings.

Results: The preoperative version of the BREAST-Q Reduction module was completed by 1206 women. Participant mean age was 55 ± 13 years, mean body mass index was 27 ± 6 kg/m, and 40 percent (n = 481) had a bra cup size ≥ D. Mean normative scores were as follows: Satisfaction with Breasts, 57 ± 16; Psychosocial Well-being, 68 ± 19; Sexual Well-being, 55 ± 19; and Physical Well-being, 76 ± 11. Normative scores were lower in women with body mass index ≥ 30 and bra cup size ≥ D. In comparison to normative Army of Women scores, published BREAST-Q scores for women undergoing reduction mammaplasty were lower (worse) for preoperative patients and higher (better) for postoperative patients.

Conclusion: These new Army of Women normative data provide insights into breast-related satisfaction and well-being in women not pursuing breast reduction, giving new clinical context to better understand the health burden of macromastia, and to demonstrate the value of reduction mammaplasty in certain patients.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. BREAST-Q Reduction Module: Variable Demographics Factors using 95% Confidence Intervals
- Purple line = mean score with 95% confidence intervals in brackets - Chronic = chronic disease
Figure 2
Figure 2. BREAST-Q Normative Data vs. Previously Published Data using 95% Confidence Intervals
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. ASAPS National Data Bank Statistics. [Accessed March 30, 2016]; Available at: http://www.surgery.org/sites/default/files/Stats2015.pdf.
    1. Atterhem H, Holmner S, Janson PE. Reduction mammaplasty: Symptoms, complications, and late results. A retrospective study on 242 patients. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg. 1998;32:281–286. - PubMed
    1. Singh KA, Losken A. Additional benefits of reduction mammaplasty: A systematic review of the literature. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2012;129:562–570. - PubMed
    1. Netscher DT, Meade RA, Goodman CM, Brehm BJ, Friedman JD, Thornby J. Physical and psychosocial symptoms among 88 volunteer subjects compared with patients seeking plastic surgery procedures to the breast. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2000;105:2366–2373. - PubMed
    1. Kerrigan CL, Collins ED, Striplin D, et al. The health burden of breast hypertrophy. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2001;108:1591–1599. - PubMed

Supplementary concepts