Understanding the Health Burden of Macromastia: Normative Data for the BREAST-Q Reduction Module

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Health Outcomes Research
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• The BREAST-Q Reduction module assesses outcomes for reduction mammaplasty.
• Lack of published normative scores hinders interpretation of BREAST-Q data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish normative scores for the BREAST-Q Reduction module.
• To provide a benchmark for evaluating patient outcomes in reduction mammaplasty.

Main Methods:

• Administered the BREAST-Q Reduction module to women via the Army of Women online community.
• Generated normative data from women without a history of breast cancer or surgery.
• Analyzed data using descriptive statistics and multivariate regression.

Main Results:

• 1206 women completed the preoperative module; mean age 55 ± 13 years.
• Mean normative scores: Satisfaction with Breasts (57 ± 16), Psychosocial Well-being (68 ± 19), Sexual Well-being (55 ± 19), Physical Well-being (76 ± 11).
• Lower scores observed in women with BMI ≥ 30 or bra cup size ≥ D.

Conclusions:

• Established normative data for the BREAST-Q Reduction module from the Army of Women.
• Provides clinical context for macromastia burden and reduction mammaplasty benefits.
• Enables better interpretation of patient-reported outcomes in breast surgery.