Percentage of hysterectomy for pelvic organ prolapse in five ethnic groups

The aim of this study was to determine whether there are differences in the percentage of hysterectomies performed for pelvic organ prolapse between five ethnic groups. Using archived data from January 1984 to January 2000, multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for age and the age-adjusted percentages were compared to Caucasians as odds ratios. A total of 6401 hysterectomies were identified, and 832 (13%) were performed for pelvic organ prolapse. The differences in the age-adjusted percentages were significant. The Japanese (P<0.001), Chinese (P<0.001) and Hawaiian (P<0.05) percentages were lower and those of the Filipinos were not significantly different from those of Caucasians below age 60. The age-adjusted odds ratios of hysterectomy for pelvic organ prolapse relative to Caucasians for Japanese, Chinese and Hawaiians were from 0.5 to 0.7. The differences begin to disappear after age 60. A significantly lower percentage of hysterectomies for pelvic organ prolapse were done in Japanese, Hawaiian and Chinese women. The odds ratios in Filipino women increased after age 60.