Conization and healthcare use: a population-based register study

Area of Science:

• Gynecologic Oncology
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Conization is a procedure for cervical dysplasia.
• Questionnaire studies suggest negative psychological impacts post-conization.
• It remains unclear if these psychological effects increase healthcare utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if psychological consequences of conization lead to increased healthcare service use.
• To compare healthcare utilization between women undergoing conization and a control group.

Main Methods:

• Population-based register study using Danish health registers.
• Difference-in-differences analysis comparing healthcare use (GP, hospital, mental health services, medications) before and after conization.
• Control group comprised women with normal cytology results.

Main Results:

• Women who had conization showed higher pre-procedure contact with GPs and hospitals.
• Healthcare use increased in both groups post-procedure, with larger increases in the conization group for GP/hospital visits (likely due to follow-up).
• Conization did not lead to increased use of mental health services or anxiolytic/antidepressant prescriptions.

Conclusions:

• The conization procedure itself did not result in increased healthcare utilization for psychological distress.
• Women undergoing conization represent a select group with pre-existing higher healthcare engagement and lower psychotropic medication use.
• Further research may explore the specific psychological needs and healthcare-seeking behaviors of this patient population.