Abstract
Abnormal uterine bleeding is a highly prevalent condition that can cause significant morbidity. This article summarizes the literature on the burden of illness, including an assessment of prevalence, its effect on the quality of life of sufferers and its economic impact. The results indicate that women with abnormal uterine bleeding have a considerably lower quality of life than the normal population, with a wide range of symptoms extending beyond domains inherent in quality-of-life tools. Limited information on economic burden suggests that economic costs are high. Additional research is required to provide better estimates of burden that, along with clinical and cost–effectiveness research, would help policy-makers ensure that scarce healthcare resources are used to maximize available health gains.
Financial & competing interests disclosure:
Sue Langham has received financial support from Bayer Schering Pharma AG. Ian Fraser has received research grants, lecture fees and expenses and has chaired advisory panels for Bayer Schering Pharma, Daiichi and Organon. Kerstin Uhl-Hochgraeber is an employee of Bayer Schering Pharma AG. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.