Long-term outcomes and re-intervention rates in women undergoing mri-guided focused ultrasound (mrgfus) for uterine fibroids: a 7-year follow-up study.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the long-term outcomes of MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for treating uterine fibroids, focusing on re-intervention rates, pregnancy outcomes, and the onset of menopause over a 7-year follow-up period.

Materials and methods: We conducted a historical cohort study of 99 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids who underwent MRgFUS between 2013 and 2020 at a single tertiary medical center. Data collection included patient demographics, treatment details, and follow-up interviews. Re-intervention rates were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analysis to identify predictors of further treatments, with a specific focus on age-related differences.

Results: Over a median follow-up of 6.1 years, 33.1% of women required re-intervention for persistent fibroid symptoms. The median patient's age was 43 years old. Women aged ≤ 43 years had significantly higher re-intervention rates than those aged 44 + years (47.5% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.005). Multivariable Cox regression identified age as the sole significant predictor of re-intervention (HR_{44+vs. <43} 0.303 95% CI 0.128-0.714, p = 0.006). Sixteen women conceived after MRgFUS, resulting in 21 pregnancies, with 72.2% live births and a spontaneous miscarriage rate of 22.2%. The mean age of menopause was 51.4 years, similar to global averages.

Conclusions: MRgFUS is a practical, noninvasive option for treating symptomatic uterine fibroids. Older women show lower re-intervention rates. Pregnancies post-MRgFUS are possible, and the procedure does not appear to affect the onset of menopause. Age remains a crucial predictor for further re-intervention.