Clinical and anamnestic factors affecting the progression of uterine fibroids

Background. Uterine fibroids (UF) is the most common tumor of the female reproductive system. In UF progression environmental factors are of great importance, which, without changing the genome, affect the activity of processes of hereditary information realization, the so-called epigenetic factors.

Objective. To identify the most significant factors enhancing uterine myoma growth and the factors having protective effect.

Material and methods of research. The study is a cohort retrospective non-randomized study in which 48 women took part: group 1–28 women with large-sized UF, group 2–20 women with small-sized UF. Retrospective analysis of medical records, questionnaire with the help of a questionnaire including 50 questions about the nature of lifestyle was carried out.

Results of the study. The studied groups were comparable in age, marital status, education and living conditions. The average age of the patients in the first group was 48,21±5,24 years, in the second group 46,20±3,75 years. Based on the data obtained, the factors influencing the growth of uterine fibroids were identified and ranked. The main factors accelerating the progression of UF are high obesity (OR7.34 95% CL 1,035–178.2, p<0.05), a history of cesarean section (OR4.85 95% CL 1,006–36.51, p<0.05), the presence of UF in the mother (OR4.12 95% CL 1,022–21.21, p<0.05), eating pork more than 3 times a week (OR4.12 95% CL 1,134–17.51, p<0.05), short courses of using oral contraceptives (OR4.12 95% CL 1,02–21.21, p<0.05), rare consumption of fish and seafood (OR3.88 95% CL 1,06–16.57, p<0.05), low physical activity (OR4.12 95% CL 1,134–17.51, p<0.05), duration of dynamic observation for more than 5 years (OR3.506 95% CL 1,042–12.75, p<0.05). Protective factors that slow down the growth of uterine fibroids can be called taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve dysmenorrhea (OR0.28 95% CL 0.075–0.989, p<0.05), limiting sugar intake (OR0.187 95% CL 0.035–0.814, p<0.05), no pork consumption (OR0 95% CL 0.0–0.5097 p<0.05), consumption of fish and seafood 3 or more times a week (OR0.149 95% CL 0.0189–0.7756, p<0.05), the presence of 3 or more births in the anamnesis through the natural birth canal (OR0 95% CL 0.0–0.563, p<0.05), regular sexual activity (OR0.280 95% CL 0.0745–0.989, p<0.05), alcohol exclusion (OR0.495 95% CL 0.01893–0.7756, p<0.05), underweight (OR0.95% CL 0.0–0.3809, p<0.05).

Conclusion. It is necessary to encourage women not to postpone motherhood, to popularize having many children, family values, to modify the lifestyle of women with already detected uterine fibroids by increasing motor activity, limiting the consumption of pork and sugar, increasing the consumption of fish and seafood.

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