Effects of a Lifestyle Intervention on Fibroid-Related Quality of Life [ID 974]

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 12-month exercise and nutrition intervention on quality of life (QOL), symptom severity (SS), uterine leiomyoma recurrence, and improvement in key laboratory values in patients after a procedural fibroid intervention. METHODS: This was a prospective, longitudinal 24-month cohort study conducted at NYU Langone Health’s Center for Fibroid Care. Twenty-two post-surgical fibroid patients between ages 18 and 50 were included in the pilot phase of this intervention. Participants followed a prescribed nutrition and exercise regimen for 12 months and attended at least two office visits with a doctor and one nutrition visit. Participants also completed two QOL questionnaires, blood work, and ultrasound imaging. RESULTS: A clinically meaningful improvement in QOL score (mean difference [MD] 22.91, P <.05) and symptom severity score (MD −12.6, P <.05) was found between baseline (0 and 3 months) and 12 months of this intervention. The QOL subscale scores that showed the greatest improvement were concern and energy/mood ( P <.05). Vitamin D (MD 8.0, P <.05) and hemoglobin (MD 0.6, P <.05) lab values also showed a clinically meaningful improvement. Furthermore, we found a decrease in uterine volume (cc) in the time period analyzed (MD −82.6, P <.05), suggesting no significant regrowth in fibroids. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The lifestyle intervention was associated with an improvement in QOL and a reduction in SS in post-surgical patients, providing insight into how a lifestyle intervention may be an effective strategy in continuing care and potentially minimizing regrowth in patients who suffer from fibroids.