Most women with fibroids avoid a hysterectomy five years after undergoing image-guided uterine artery embolization, even when coexistent adenomyosis is present. These findings were published November 7 in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.
Study Tracked 13,098 Patients Over Twelve Years
Researchers led by Tarub Mabud, MD, from Columbia University Medical Center in New York investigated whether coexistent adenomyosis changes patient outcomes. The team evaluated 13,098 patients aged 30 to 55 years who underwent the procedure between 2013 and 2025 using the MarketScan Commercial Database.
“Few studies have directly compared reintervention after UAE between isolated fibroids and coexistent disease, but existing data indirectly support these findings,” Mabud and colleagues wrote.
Comparing Fibroid-Only Cases to Coexistent Adenomyosis
The analysis revealed distinct differences in long-term reintervention rates between the two patient groups. Patients with both fibroids and adenomyosis faced a 41% higher hazard of eventual hysterectomy compared to those with fibroid-only disease, alongside a 21% higher hazard of any reintervention.
Despite those increased risks, 79.5% of patients with coexistent adenomyosis remained free of hysterectomy at the five-year mark. Major adverse events occurred in 4.3% of all patients within 30 days of the index procedure, with no statistically significant difference in short-term safety between the two cohorts.
Counseling Patients About Uterus-Preserving Options and Hysterectomy Risks
The study authors emphasized that the procedure remains a viable uterus-preserving option for patients presenting with both conditions. They advised that pre-procedural counseling should specifically address the small risk of future hysterectomy to ensure patients maintain realistic expectations about long-term treatment success.
Common Questions About Uterine Artery Embolization
What ages were included in the database research?
The analysis focused on patients between 30 and 55 years old who underwent the procedure between 2013 and 2025.
How frequently do major adverse events occur after the procedure?
Composite major adverse events occurred in 4.3% of all patients within 30 days of undergoing the index procedure.
Where were the study results published?
The findings were published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.