Prevalence and Risk Factors of Uterine Fibroids in North-East Slovenia

Abstract

Objectives: Uterine fibroids are the most common pelvic tumors in women, occurring globally with a prevalence of 21.4%. The aim of this study is to reveal the prevalence of fibroids in a patient population from the municipality of Maribor, Slovenia, and to identify associated risk factors. Methods: The study was based on a random sample of 2000 women within the age group of 25 to 56 living in the municipality of Maribor, Slovenia. Participation was completely voluntary. Eligible patients had to fill out a questionnaire and would undergo a transvaginal ultrasound. The data were processed with the statistical program PASW 18, and p values < 0.05 were taken to statistically significant differences. Results: Nine hundred and twenty-one of the 2,000 women (46.1%) have responded to our invitation and uterine fibroids were identified in 21.1% of them. The prevalence of fibroids was statistically significantly lower (6.7%) in the younger group (25-35 years) than in the group aged 36-45 years (prevalence of 33.3%, χ2꞊34.4, p꞊0.0001) and that of 46-56 years (prevalence of 60%, χ2꞊53.7, p꞊0.0001). The prevalence of fibroids was higher in women who had never used oral contraceptives when compared to those who had (27.0% vs. 19.7%; χ2=4.8, p=0.028). Women with fibroids had a 1.2 kg/m2 (95% CI: 0.4-1.9) higher BMI (t=-3.0, p=0.003). Other previously described risk factors did not appear of significance. Conclusion: Fibroids represent an important gynecologic pathology in women due to its relatively high prevalence and their probable impact on patient’s quality of life.