Objective: To assess patient preferences regarding the treatment of menorrhagia using the multi-attribute utility methodologies, to produce a clinically applicable scale, and to assess health outcomes following treatment of menorrhagia.
Methods: Women referred to the gynaecology department for the treatment of menorrhagia were interviewed regarding the effects of menorrhagia on different aspects of their life. Their concerns were categorised into main components of health (domains). The relative importance of each domain was rated by the women using importance points which were distributed to represent the perceived importance of each domain. A series of statements (intra-domain statements) was developed for each domain, which described various possible conditions of that component of health. These were also rated using a one metre visual analogue scale with numerical anchor points at zero (worst) and 100 (best).
Results: The components of health considered most important were, in order of impact, family life, followed by physical health, work life, psychological health, practical difficulties and social life. The scores for the intra-domain statements were combined into a scale to allow the calculation of a final health state utility for a particular outcome based upon the statements the patient chooses within each domain.
Discussion: In planning treatment for menorrhagia clinicians can assess a woman's current perception of their health, using a simple to administer clinical scale.