Director, Medical Managed Markets & Real-world Evidence Sumitomo Pharma America Flossmoor, IL, United States
Introduction: Uterine fibroids (UF; leiomyomas) are common, benign tumors associated with heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) and iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia can impair quality of life, cognitive ability, and productivity. Given limited data on anemia in UF with and without HMB, this study investigates its prevalence in both groups. Methods: A retrospective, observational study using the MerativeTM MarketScan® Commercial Database (2015-2022) identified women 18-55 years old newly diagnosed with UF with and without HMB, followed for 12-months pre-/post-diagnosis. Cohorts were defined based on the temporal order of claims: UF then HMB (UF-HMB), HMB then UF (HMB-UF), UF only. A matched control (non-UF and non-HMB) was also established. The index date for the UF cohorts was the first UF claim and a randomly assigned Obstetrician/gynecology visit for the non-UF/non-HMB cohort. UF cohorts were matched 1:1:1 on age and county-level race; the control cohort was matched 5:1. Claims for anemia pre-/post-index were examined. Results: A total of 22,057 women/UF cohort and 110,285 controls were included. UF cohorts had increased proportions of patients experiencing anemia compared to controls. Anemia pre-index: HMB-UF (25.2%), UF-HMB (14.4%), UF (7.9%), control (3.4%). Anemia post-index: HMB-UF (35.3%), UF-HMB (32.0%), UF (14.3%), control (4.4%). Transfusions were most common in the HMB-UF cohort pre-index but increased nearly 4-fold in the UF-HMB cohort post-index. Conclusion/Implications: Women with UF and HMB were more likely to be anemic and require a transfusion. Healthcare providers should be vigilant about inquiring on the character of menstruation and in screening for anemia, especially in women reporting HMB.
Disclosure(s):
Laura F. McKain, MD: Allucent: Consultant (Ongoing); Cooper Surgical: Consultant (Ongoing); Evofem Biosciences: Consultant (Terminated, September 30, 2022); Myovant Sciences: Consultant (Ongoing)
Brenna Brady, PhD: No financial relationships to disclose
Anh Thu Tran, DPharm: Merative: Employee (Ongoing)