Abstract
Our objective was to examine trends in the use of bilateral oophorectomy in the United States from 1965 to 1990 by age, race, and indication. The National Hospital Discharge Survey data sets from 1965 through 1990 were examined for time trends. The setting was a probability sample of approximately 450 nonf ederal, short-stay hospitals per year. The main outcome measure was hospitalizations during which bilateral oophorectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy was performed, as identified through the ICD codes listed on discharge summaries. The annual frequency of bilateral oophorectomy has risen 106% over the 26-year period, and the annual age-adjusted rate of this procedure increased until the mid-1970s, when it began to decrease slightly. The rates of oophorectomies in African Americans and whites have been equivalent throughout the period, and there has been no change in the average age at which oophorectomies are performed. The number of oophorectomies attributed to ovarian disease constituted the indication group increasing most during the period. These trends suggest a need for investigation of the indications for bilateral oophorectomy, particularly that of ovarian diseases.
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