Low plasma vitamin D as a predictor of uterine fibroids in a nigerian population

Abstract

Background: Uterine fibroid is the most common benign tumour of the uterus and the exact cause is unknown. Vitamin D has been found to inhibit cell proliferation and enhance apoptosis in vitro.

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the plasma level of Vitamin D among women with uterine fibroids and those without uterine fibroids.

Materials and methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted among women with uterine fibroids and those without uterine fibroids. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain relevant information. Five millilitres of venous blood was obtained for plasma Vitamin D assay. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS version 22. Level of significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results: There were 100 participants recruited for the study. The mean age of the participants with uterine fibroid was 35.06 ± 6.6 years and that of controls was 33.28 ± 7 years. The mean plasma level of Vitamin D for all the participants was 12.47 ± 7.53 ng/ml. The mean plasma level of Vitamin D in those with uterine fibroids was significantly lower than in those without uterine fibroid (10.16 ± 7.78 vs. 14.35 ± 6.8; t = 2.517, P = 0.014). It also shows that 1 unit increase in Vitamin D level will reduce the risk of developing uterine fibroids by 8% (odds ratio = 0.92, 95% confidence interval = 0.86-0.99).

Conclusion: The predictors of uterine fibroids were fewer hours spent outdoors, middle social class and low Vitamin D levels.

Keywords: Predictor; Vitamin D; uterine fibroids.