The Burden of Uterine Fibroids for African-American Women: Results of a National Survey

Abstract

African-American women have more severe symptoms, unique concerns, and different information-seeking behavior for fibroids.

An Altered Perception of Normal: Understanding Causes for Treatment Delay in Women with Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids

“…The majority of participants were African American women, who have a higher cumulative incidence, earlier age of onset, and overall greater burden of uterine fibroids compared to Caucasian women. 1,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25] We were also able to recruit women from both an academic setting and a community-based organization, which helps to more accurately represent a broad group of women's experiences with the tumors.…”

The direct and indirect costs of uterine fibroid tumors: a systematic review of the literature between 2000 and 2013

“…The majority of identified studies were US studies, which reflects the fact that evaluation of the economic burden of UF has been a prioritized research topic in the U.S. in recent years. [43][44][45] However, cost studies of UF in non-US countries are very limited. Among these 7 studies, only one study has more than 1,000 patients, which was a multi-national study 26 , and the rest of studies have a sample size ranged from 43 to 545.…”

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues inhibit leiomyoma extracellular matrix despite presence of gonadal hormones

“…The high prevalence (70%-80%) and presence of accompanying morbid symptoms that affect women with this disease justify the need for improved therapeutic intervention (3). African American women are particularly affected by this disease and experience more severe symptomatology when compared with other women in the population (4)(5)(6)(7). Common symptoms that may afflict these patients and affect their quality of life may include heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding resulting in anemia, infertility, and pelvic and leg pain (2,4,6).…”

“…African American women are particularly affected by this disease and experience more severe symptomatology when compared with other women in the population (4)(5)(6)(7). Common symptoms that may afflict these patients and affect their quality of life may include heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding resulting in anemia, infertility, and pelvic and leg pain (2,4,6). Although hysterectomy is curative, it is associated with short-term and long-term morbidity and precludes future childbirth.…”