Bipolar radio frequency endometrial ablation compared with balloon endometrial ablation in dysfunctional uterine bleeding: impact on patients' health-related quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: To compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after bipolar radio frequency ablation and thermal balloon ablation in women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Teaching hospital. PATIENT(S): Women suffering from dysfunctional uterine bleeding. INTERVENTION(S): Bipolar radio frequency ablation and thermal balloon ablation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Patients were asked to complete HRQoL questionnaires at baseline, and at 2 days, 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery. The questionnaires contained the medical outcomes study Short-Form 36 (SF-36), the Self-rating Depression Scale, the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and a structured clinical history questionnaire. RESULT(S): Data on HRQoL were available on at least two different time points in 115 of 126 randomized patients. HRQoL improved significantly over time in both groups, except for the domain of general health in the SF-36. None of the dimensions showed a significant difference between both groups, neither was there a significant interaction between time and treatment effect. CONCLUSION(S): Both methods significantly improved HRQoL in women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding. However, despite better amenorrhea and satisfaction rates after bipolar radio frequency ablation, there was no difference in HRQoL between the two groups.