The Estimated Annual Cost of Uterine Leiomyomata in the United States

Objective The purpose of this study was to estimate the total annual societal cost of uterine fibroid tumors in the United States, based on direct and indirect costs that include associated obstetric complications. Study Design A systematic review of the literature was conducted to estimate the number of women who seek treatment for symptomatic fibroid tumors annually, the costs of medical and surgical treatment, the amount of work time lost, and obstetric complications that are attributable to fibroid tumors. Total annual costs were converted to 2010 US dollars. A sensitivity analysis was performed. Results The estimated annual direct costs (surgery, hospital admissions, outpatient visits, and medications) were $4.1-9.4 billion. Estimated lost work-hour costs ranged from $1.55–17.2 billion annually. Obstetric outcomes that were attributed to fibroid tumors resulted in a cost of $238 million to $7.76 billion annually. Uterine fibroid tumors were estimated to cost the United States $5.9-34.4 billion annually. Conclusion Obstetric complications that are associated with fibroid tumors contributed significantly to their economic burden. Lost work-hour costs may account for the largest proportion of societal costs because of fibroid tumors.