Factors Associated with Clinical Presentation among Women with Uterine Fibroids
Abstract
ABSTRACTBackground: Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomata uteri, are the most common tumors of female reproductive tract. They are myometrial smooth muscle tumors, which secrete prolactin.
Objectives: To study the association of clinical presentation of women with uterine fibroids with some factors like age, parity, serum and tissue prolactin level, and location of fibroid.
Methods: The study was conducted by using a convenient sample of 80 female patients with fibroids who were admitted to the department of gynecology and obstetrics at Al-Khadimiya and Al-Saadoon private hospitals for hysterectomy or myomectomy during the period from 1st of Oct. - 31st of March 2007. All of them had undergone thorough pelvic examination followed by pelvic ultrasonography to confirm the diagnosis of fibroid. Parity, serum and tissue prolactin hormone level and fibroid location, were studied in relation to clinical presentation of those patients.
Results: Women in this study showed different clinical presentation; irregular uterine bleeding (13.8%), menorrhagia (11.3%), suprapubic or low back pain (15%), infertility (25%), and other symptoms (20%). While asymptomatic were (15%). The highest serum prolactin mean was among patients presented with suprapubic or low back pain while asymptomatic ones had the lowest mean. Tissue prolactin was found at its highest mean among women presented with irregular uterine bleeding and menorrhagia.
Regarding the site of fibroid, more than a half of the total number of fibroids (155) were intramural (56.1%), subcerosal (27.1%), submucous (9.7%), broad ligament (3.9%) and cervical (3.2%).
Conclusions: The study concluded that 68% of fibroid patients who were admitted for hysterectomy or myomectomy were symptomatic. 25% of them presented with infertility. The highest serum prolactin mean was found among patients presented with site of pain while tissue prolactin was found at its highest mean among women presented with irregular menstrual flow and menorrhagia.
Keywords: Uterine fibroid, Prolactin.
Iraqi Medical Journal Vol. 56, No.1, June 2010; p.81-87
Copyright (c) 2017 Iraqi Medical Journal
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