Home > Review Articles > Ethnic disparities > The percentage of women who were offered the Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System for heavy menstrual bleeding prior to hysterectomy: clinical audit

The percentage of women who were offered the Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System for heavy menstrual bleeding prior to hysterectomy: clinical audit

Making Education Easy

Authors:
Summary:

This clinical audit investigated how many women with heavy menstrual bleeding were offered a levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) prior to hysterectomy at Middlemore Hospital in South Auckland, over a 12-month period (from 30 April 2014 to 1 May 2015). Of the 81 patients who met the study inclusion criteria, 63 (78%) were offered and 18 (22%) were not offered the LNG-IUS before proceeding to a hysterectomy. Of the 63 patients who were offered the LNG-IUS, 11 (18%) refused the treatment.

Comment:
Evidence from the US suggests that ethnic disparities occur between African Americans and Whites for all surgical procedures except hysterectomy – where rates are significantly higher for African Americans than other ethnicities. I’ve often wondered if this was true for Māori women also. This study goes some way to answer the question. It is an audit, and therefore does not have power to show statically significant difference by ethnicity. However, as an audit is meant to be an exercise for improving ‘quality of care’, you have to wonder if Māori and Asian women (of whom only 75% and 60% were offered gold standard treatment) are receiving ‘lesser’ quality than NZE women (of whom more than 80% were offered it).
Reference: Pac J Reprod Health. 2015;1(2):91-4
Independent commentary by Dr. Matire Hardwood

Dr Matire Harwood (Ngapuhi) has worked in Hauora Māori, primary health and rehabilitation settings as clinician and researcher since graduating from Auckland Medical School in 1994. She also holds positions on a number of boards, committees and advisory groups including the Health Research Council. Matire lives in Auckland with her whānau including partner Haunui and two young children Te Rangiura and Waimarie.

Research Review publications are intended for New Zealand health professionals.

Disclaimer: This publication is not intended as a replacement for regular medical education but to assist in the process. The reviews are a summarised interpretation of the published study and reflect the opinion of the writer rather than those of the research group or scientific journal. It is suggested readers review the full trial data before forming a final conclusion on its merits.

Related Articles

Despite overall improvement in life expectancy in New Zealand, according to a cause-specific decomposition analysis

A retrospective study has highlighted ethnic disparities in the utilisation of epidural analgesia at Christchurch

Explore Māori Health Reviews

Dive into our publications and videos content from over 50 areas of medicine including Cardiology, Diabetes, Oncology, Haematology and Psychiatry. 

It looks like you are closest to our Australia site.

Australia
Australia
Find Reviews in Your Clinical Area
Please select your country of practice.
Terms and Conditions

Website terms of use 

By using our website, you agree to follow these terms and conditions. 

 

Privacy policy 

We take your privacy seriously. To understand how we collect, use, and protect your information, please read our Privacy Policy, which is part of these terms. 

 

Copyright and use of website content 

The content of our website is protected by copyright, trademarks, and other legal rights. You can: view, download, or print a single copy of content for your personal or professional use. 

You cannot:  copy, modify, or distribute website content, or use our website content for commercial purposes or in other works without permission. 

 

Links to third-party websites 

The Research Review website may link to third-party websites for your convenience. However: 

We do not endorse or approve their products, services, or actions. 

We are not responsible for their content or how they operate. 

There is no formal partnership between us and third parties unless we clearly state otherwise. 

 

Disclaimer and limitation of liability 

We do our best to keep the information on our website accurate, but we do not guarantee that it is always correct or up to date. 

To the fullest extent allowed by law, we are not responsible for: 

Any loss, damage, or costs you may suffer from using (or being unable to use) our website. 

Any decisions you make based on the information provided. 

Any business losses, such as lost profits, lost data, or business interruptions. 

 

Governing law 

These terms are governed by New Zealand law. If there is a dispute, it must be resolved in a New Zealand court.