Thesis
Women's perceptions of the effectiveness of endometrial uterine ablation using bipolar radiofrequency technology in treating menorrhagia associated with leiomyomas
Washington State University
Master of Nursing (MN), Washington State University
2013
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101620
Abstract
Menorrhagia caused by symptomatic leiomyomas (uterine fibroids) significantly affects many women and their families. Many studies focus on the growth patterns, appearance, and costs of uterine fibroids, but there is limited literature focusing on the health-related quality of life these women experience. This paper describes a study focused on adding to the body of knowledge about fibroid-related menorrhagia and the health-related quality of life of women who have received treatment for this health concern. Nurse practitioners (NPs) will likely care for women with fibroid-related menorrhagia in family practice and/or women's health care settings. To be effective in providing this care, NPs need additional knowledge about the effect of this condition and treatment on health-related quality of life. This paper reports on a study of 21 women living in a mid-sized Northwestern city who all received care at a single multispecialty clinic. The study was undertaken to explore perceptions of health related to quality of life following treatment of fibroid-related menorrhagia using bipolar radiofrequency technology for endometrial ablation. This outpatient treatment strategy is minimally invasive and lower in cost than the other treatment options currently available. The Uterine Fibroid Symptom-Quality of Life Questionnaire, an instrument with established reliability and validity, was administered to women who received this treatment in the three years prior to the study. This instrument reports scores on several sub-scales related to quality of life for women with menorrhagia. Women in this study reported a post-treatment menorrhagia-related symptom severity subscale score of 80.9 percent out 100 and an overall combined quality of life score of 93.7 out of 100, suggesting that uterine fibroid symptoms no longer negatively affect their quality of life following treatment using this type of endometrial ablation. While this study was limited in size and scope and did not include a pre-test/post-test comparison, it provides important information about the success of endometrial ablation using the relatively new technique of bipolar radiofrequency. Nurse practitioners will be able to use this information when providing information and education to women who are considering treatment options for menorrhagia-related to uterine fibroids and referring them for special care.
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Details
- Title
- Women's perceptions of the effectiveness of endometrial uterine ablation using bipolar radiofrequency technology in treating menorrhagia associated with leiomyomas
- Creators
- Dawn Ann Mattinson
- Contributors
- Cynthia Fitzgerald (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Nursing, College of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Nursing (MN), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525079301842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis