Changes in Pelvic Floor Symptoms After Procedural Interventions for Uterine Leiomyomas: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objective: To conduct a systematic review to evaluate the effect of procedural interventions for leiomyomas on pelvic floor symptoms.

Data sources: PubMed, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception to January 12, 2023, searching for leiomyoma procedures and pelvic floor disorders and symptoms, restricted to primary study designs in humans.

Methods of study selection: Double independent screening for studies of any study design in all languages that reported pelvic floor symptoms before and after surgical (hysterectomy, myomectomy, radiofrequency volumetric thermal ablation) or radiologic (uterine artery embolization, magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasonography, high-intensity focused ultrasonography) procedures for management of uterine leiomyomas. Data were extracted, with risk-of-bias assessment and review by a second researcher. Random effects model meta-analyses were conducted, as feasible.

Tabulation, integration, and results: Six randomized controlled trials, one nonrandomized comparative study, and 25 single-group studies met criteria. The overall quality of the studies was moderate. Only six studies, reporting various outcomes, directly compared two procedures for leiomyomas. Across studies, leiomyoma procedures were associated with decreased symptom distress per the UDI-6 (Urinary Distress Inventory, Short Form) (summary mean change -18.7, 95% CI -25.9 to -11.5; six studies) and improved quality of life per the IIQ-7 (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, Short Form) (summary mean change -10.7, 95% CI -15.8 to -5.6; six studies). There was a wide range of resolution of urinary symptoms after procedural interventions (7.6-100%), and this varied over time. Urinary symptoms improved in 19.0-87.5% of patients, and the definitions for improvement varied between studies. Bowel symptoms were inconsistently reported in the literature.

Conclusion: Urinary symptoms improved after procedural interventions for uterine leiomyomas, although there is high heterogeneity among studies and few data on long-term outcomes or comparing different procedures.

Systematic review registration: PROSPERO, CRD42021272678.