Arch Gynecol Obstet DOI 10.1007/s00404-007-0332-6 123 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Characterization of therapy and costs for patients with uterine Wbroids in Utah Medicaid Gary Oderda · Carl Asche · Kirtly Parker Jones · Ray M. Merrill · James Spalding Received: 25 July 2006 / Accepted: 22 January 2007  Springer-Verlag 2007 Abstract Objectives To determine in an eligible Utah Medicaid population (1) medical and drug costs associated with treating uterine Wbroids (UFs) and (2) the cost and incidence of hysterectomy complications. Methods Medical and drug cost analyses were based on data from 897 premenopausal patients with UFs included in the Utah Medicaid database from 1996 to 2004. UF-related medical and pharmacy costs were determined from Wrst diagnosis of UFs until a related procedure or until estimated menopause. Outcomes for patients treated with a procedure (hysterectomy, myomectomy, or embolization), medication, and watchful waiting (no procedure, no UF-related drug) were compared. When determining hysterectomy com- plication rates for the population of women in the Medicaid database, a total of 1,323 pre- or postmeno- pausal patients with UFs were included. Results Overall, 20% of patients were treated with medication, 33% with a procedure, and 47% with watchful waiting. Mean total UF costs were: $11,996 (procedure), $2,703 (medication), and $2,118 (watchful waiting). Mean eligibility months were 8.8, 28.8, and 14.1, respectively. Costs/eligible month were: $1,358 (procedure), $151 (watchful waiting), and $94 (medica- tion). The mean hysterectomy cost was $12,107. Conclusion Treatment for UFs is expensive with a mean cost of $5,504 per study patient. The highest costs are seen in patients receiving procedures, which can lead to complications; 15% in this study. Costs for watchful waiting are similar to costs in patients receiv- ing UF-related drugs. Consideration should be given to using non-surgical therapies for the treatment of UFs before procedures are performed. Keywords Fibroids · Uterine Wbroid costs · Myomas · Leiomyoma · Hysterectomy Introduction Uterine Wbroids (UFs), also known as leiomyomata uteri or myomas, are benign tumors that potentially can grow to over 20 cm in size on or within the smooth muscle tissue of the uterus. They are the most com- monly found tumors in women of reproductive age and are a frequent reason for gynecology visits and G. Oderda (&) · C. Asche Department of Pharmacotherapy, Pharmacotherapy Outcomes Research Center, University of Utah College of Pharmacy, 421 Wakara Way, Suite 208, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA e-mail: gary.oderda@pharm.utah.edu C. Asche e-mail: carl.asche@pharm.utah.edu K. P. Jones Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, 30 N 1900 E Rm 2B200, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA e-mail: kirtly.jones@hsc.utah.edu R. M. Merrill Department of Health Science, Brigham Young University, 229-A Richards Building, Provo, UT 84602, USA e-mail: ray_merrill@byu.edu J. Spalding Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Medical AVairs, TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc., 675 N. Field Drive, Lake Forest, IL 60045, USA e-mail: James.Spalding@TAP.com