This study examined the relationship between the occupational characteristics of women with uterine fibroids (UFs) and the decision to have a hysterectomy. Data from the Longitudinal Taiwan Health Insurance Database (LTHID) from 2000 to 2009 were analyzed to investigate the association between occupation and hysterectomies. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that, compared with white-collar UF patients, the odds ratio (OR) for hysterectomy surgery was 1.21 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.11-1.32) for blue-collar UF patients. Moreover, non-government employees with UFs also had significantly increased odds of having a hysterectomy compared to government employees with UFs (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.04-1.36). This study provides information regarding the extent to which differences in occupation and decision-making processes might affect the marked variations in the use of hysterectomies for UFs.
Keywords: hysterectomy; income; occupational characteristics; uterine fibroid.