An agenda for research into uterine artery embolization: Results of an expert panel conference

PURPOSE: To develop a research agenda for uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the treatment of symptomatic leiomyomata. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An expert panel was convened to examine data and dev elop a consensus for UAE research. Panelists reviewed data from articles ab out UAE and data on hysterectomy and myomectomy, which were abstracted into evidence tables. A modified Delphi process was used to rate the importance of measuring specific outcomes and a nominal group process was used to dev elop ideas for study designs. RESULTS: Panelists agreed that UAE studies would have to examine certain ke y measures. Outcomes identified as either "important to measure" or "essent ial to measure" were death, reoperation, operative injury, menorrhagia, pre mature menopause, recurrence of myomata, and satisfaction. The panel propos ed four areas for research: randomized trial, prospective registry, disease -specific quality-of-life instrument, and cost analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic uterine leiomyomata are a major health concern for women. New techniques that promise to provide symptom relief deserve caref ul consideration. Traditionally, surgical procedures have been poorly studi ed until after they have been widely used. Lf the process described in this article can guide the acquisition of knowledge in this field, it may serve as a model for evaluating other new technologies before they become widely adopted.