Surgical procedures and their cost estimates among women with newly diagnosed endometriosis: a US database study

Abstract

Objective:

This descriptive study assessed the rate and costs of surgical procedures among newly diagnosed endometriosis patients.

Methods:

Utilizing the Medstat MarketScan database, commercially insured women aged 18–45 with endometriosis newly diagnosed during 2006–2007 were identified. Each endometriosis patient was matched to four women without endometriosis (population controls) based on age and region of residence. Surgical procedures received during the 12 months post-diagnosis were assessed. Costs of surgical procedures were the amount paid by the insurance companies.

Results:

This study identified 15,891 women with newly diagnosed endometriosis and 63,564 population controls. More than 65% of endometriosis patients received an endometriosis-related surgical procedure within 1 year of the initial diagnosis. The most common procedure was therapeutic laparoscopy (31.6%), followed by abdominal hysterectomy (22.1%) and vaginal hysterectomy (6.8%). Prevalence and type of surgery performed varied by patient age, including a hysterectomy rate of approximately 16% in patients younger than 35 and 37% among patients aged 35–45 years. Average costs ranged from $4,289 (standard deviation [SD]: $3,313) for diagnostic laparoscopy to $11,397 (SD: $8,749) for abdominal hysterectomy.

Limitations:

Diagnosis of endometriosis cannot be validated against medical records, and information on the severity of endometriosis-related symptoms is not available in administrative claims data.

Conclusions:

Over 65% of patients had endometriosis-related surgical procedures, including hysterectomy, within 1 year of being diagnosed with endometriosis. The cost of surgical procedures related to endometriosis places a significant financial burden on the healthcare system.