Hysterectomy and Osteoporosis Risk Study

A recent study uncovered critical insights into the long-debated association between hysterectomy and osteoporosis risk, especially among women aged 40 to 59 years. The findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The data from the Korean National Health Insurance was analyzed to overcome limitations of previous research and provide a more precise understanding of this health concern.

Study Details

The research analyzed a total of 25,910 female patients from 2003 to 2011, matched through propensity score, with half having undergone benign hysterectomy and the other half indicating no history of the procedure during regular health checkups. The participants were tracked until December 31, 2020, to make up a median follow-up period of 10.9 years.

The results were based on whether hysterectomy was performed with or without adnexal surgical procedures. The findings revealed:

• Patients who underwent hysterectomy without adnexal surgery faced a higher risk of osteoporosis within the initial 7 years compared to those who did not have the procedure. After this period, the risks were equalized.
• The group undergoing hysterectomy with adnexal surgical procedures showed a persistent and higher risk of osteoporosis within the first 7 years and following years.

These results found the complex relationship between hysterectomy and osteoporosis risk that indicate a time-dependent effect. Hysterectomy without adnexal procedures was associated with increased osteoporosis risk specifically within the initial 7 years, suggesting a critical window for monitoring and intervention. Irrespective of adnexal involvement, this procedure did not show a significant association with vertebral and hip fractures.

Implications for Clinicians and Patients

These findings provide crucial insights for clinicians and women considering or undergoing hysterectomy, emphasizing the need for personalized care and vigilant monitoring in the critical postoperative period.

Reference

Seo, Y.-S., & Yuk, J.-S. (2023). Osteoporosis and Fracture Risk Following Benign Hysterectomy Among Female Patients in Korea. In JAMA Network Open (Vol. 6, Issue 12, p. e2347323). American Medical Association (AMA). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.47323