Hysterectomy trends in Finland in 1987-1995--a register based analysis.

BACKGROUND

The study objective was to identify trends in the use of hysterectomy by nationwide register based analysis in Finland.

METHODS

All women (n=89,069) undergoing hysterectomy in 1987-1995 according to the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register were the numerator. The annual denominator data were obtained from the population database of Statistics Finland.

RESULTS

From 1987 to 1992 the hysterectomy rate increased by 22%, from 340 to 414 per 100,000 females, almost half of this being attributable to the changing age structure. From 1993 on, ambiguity in coding laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomies prohibited detailed analyses. However, the overall trend continued at least among women 50 years and over until 1995. The age-adjusted 12% increase from 1987 to 1992 coincided with a rapid increase in operation rates in postmenopausal groups (60% or more among women aged 55 59 and 70-79 years). Among women aged 55-64 years, operations for fibroids and uterine bleeding more than doubled, suggesting an influence of increased use of estrogen replacement therapy. Among all women, operations due to bleeding disorders and genital prolapse showed the largest increase (41% and 42% respectively). Bilateral oophorectomy became more common in all age groups over 46 years.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a modest increase in the overall hysterectomy rate. However, the operation became far more common in postmenopausal women, possibly due to the growing use of estrogen replacement therapy. Register data can be used for describing changes in clinical practice, but other methods are needed to confirm the causal relationships underlying the changes.