Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Volume 105, Issue 9 , Pages 731-742, 2006

Changes and Factors Influencing Health-related Quality of Life After Hysterectomy in Premenopausal Women with Benign Gynecologic Conditions

  • Ya-Ling Yang

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to: Dr Ya-Ling Yang, School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, 1 Jen Ai Road, Section 1, Taipei 100, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Yueh-Chih Chen
  • Yu-Mei Chao

      Affiliations

    • National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Grace Yao

      Affiliations

    • School of Psychology, College of Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Received 25 April 2005; received in revised form 2 June 2005; accepted 7 March 2006.

Article Outline

Background/Purpose

A hysterectomy affects a woman's health. This study was performed to identify the factors that affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL) before and after hysterectomy in premenopausal women.

Methods

This prospective follow-up study recruited 38 women (age range, 33-52 years) who underwent abdominal hysterectomy for nonmalignant causes. SF-36 and self-rated health status were used to assess HRQoL before and after hysterectomy. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, nonparametric tests and the generalized estimating equation method for modeling the repeatedly measured responses.

Results

Patients' attitudes toward hysterectomy and subsequent sexual activity were influenced by the surgery. All patients showed significant improvements in the physical component summary (PCS) of SF-36 (mean, 42.1-51.0), but there was no significant difference in the mental component summary (MCS). The significant improvements were found from the five repeated measurements of the self-rated health status (mean, 6.0-7.3). Hemoglobin level was the most important predictor of HRQoL before surgery. Women in employment, with more years of education and previous blood transfusion had high MCS scores after surgery.

Conclusion

The overall self-rated health status and PCS showed significant improvements after hysterectomy. Having had a blood transfusion, being educated and employed were positively associated with MCS score after surgery. These findings are vital for preoperative counseling for women undergoing hysterectomy.

Key Words:  abdominal hysterectomy , generalized estimating equation modeling , health-related quality of life , SF-36

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PII: S0929-6646(09)60201-1

doi:10.1016/S0929-6646(09)60201-1

Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Volume 105, Issue 9 , Pages 731-742, 2006

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