Background/Aims: Uterine leiomyomas are the most common gynecological benign tumor and greatly affect reproductive health and well-being. The pathophysiology and epidemiology of fibroids are poorly understood. Obesity and elevated blood pressure have been reported to be predisposing factors. In this study, we investigated whether fibroids are associated with some criteria of the metabolic syndrome. Methods: The case patients were 213 women who underwent hysterectomy or myomectomy for fibroids, and the control subjects were 159 women who underwent operation for benign indications other than fibroids. Preoperative information on body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), serum triglyceride (TG) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was obtained from medical records. The patients were classified as overweight if they had a preoperatively measured BMI of ≧24.0, hypertensive if BP was ≧140/90 mm Hg, hypertriglyceridemic if TG was ≧150 mg/dl, and hyperglycemic if FPG was ≧110 mg/dl. Results: BMI, BP, TG and FPG were significantly higher in the case group compared with the control group. In logistic regression analysis, fibroids were statistically significantly associated with being overweight and hypertensive. With the combination of these risk factors, the risk of fibroids increased. Conclusion: Uterine leiomyomas may share pathogenic features with the development of metabolic syndrome.

Keywords:
Leiomyoma, Metabolic syndrome, Obesity, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Hyperglycemia
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel
2008
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.