Temporal trend and nationwide utility for hysterectomies in Taiwan, 1997–2010

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the nationwide utilization and temporal trend of hysterectomies in Taiwan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study used the National Health Insurance Research Database that included claims of nearly the entire population in Taiwan since the inception of the National Health Insurance program in 1995. We analyzed age-adjusted rates of hysterectomies in Taiwan from 1997 through to 2010 and compared with the rates in 16 countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. We also examined the utilization of various types of hysterectomies in Taiwan during this period. RESULTS: =0.72; p<0.01), from 2858 in 1997 to 2010 in 2010. CONCLUSION: As in most Western countries, hysterectomy rates in Taiwan declined by year. There was a marked shift in the types of hysterectomies from 1997 through to 2010 in Taiwan. Minimally invasive surgeries and supracervical hysterectomies were more commonly adopted.