Abstract
BackgroundThe published data about alcohol consumption and uterine myoma are scanty and controversial: some studies found positive association whereas other studies showed no association.ObjectivesTo conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether alcohol is a risk factor for myoma.Search strategyA MEDLINE/EMBASE search was carried out, supplemented by manual searches of bibliographies of the selected studies.Selection criteriaArticles published as full-length papers in English. In the review we included all identified studies. Otherwise, the inclusion criteria for studies included in the meta-analysis were: a) case-control or cohort studies, reporting original data; b) studies reporting original data on the association between alcohol consumption and myoma; c) diagnosis of myoma was ultrasound or histological confirmed and/or clinically based.Data collection and analysisA total of 6 studies were identified for the review and 5 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The primary outcome was the incidence of uterine myoma in ever versus never alcohol drinkers and when data were available, we also analyzed categories of alcohol intake. We assessed the outcomes in the overall population and then we performed a subgroup analysis according to study design. Pooled estimates of the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using random effects models.Main resultsThe summary OR (95%CI) of myoma forever versus never alcohol intake was 1.12 (0.94–1.34) with significant heterogeneity. The summary OR for current versus never drinking was 1.33 (1.01–1.76) with no heterogeneity.ConclusionsEver alcohol consumption is not associated with myoma risk. Based on the data of two studies, current alcohol drinkers had a slightly borderline increased risk of diagnosis of myoma. In consideration of the very limited number of studies and the suggestion of a potential increased risk among current drinkers, further studies are required.
Highlights
Uterine myoma, a benign smooth muscle tumor, is the most common tumor of the female reproductive tract
Ever alcohol consumption is not associated with myoma risk
We performed a MEDLINE/EMBASE search of papers published until May, 2017, using the Medical Subject Heading terms “uterine myoma” or “leiomyoma” combined with “alcoholic beverages" or "alcohol drinking" or "vegetables" or "fats" or “vitamins" or "diet" and free search terms “alcohol” or “alcoholic beverages”or “alcohol consumption”or “alcohol drinking”or “wine” or “beer” or “diet” or “vegetable” or “nutrition” or “vitamin” or “fat” in combination with “fibroids” or “uterine fibroids” or “myoma” or “uterine myoma” or “leiomyoma” or “uterine leiomyoma” (S1 File)
Summary
A benign smooth muscle tumor, is the most common tumor of the female reproductive tract. The incidence and prevalence of myomas remain currently unknown. Available data are difficult to compare due to differences in the study population and screening methods of the published studies. Many different risk factors have been associated with myoma occurrence; age, race, reproductive and lifestyle factors are included among them, but their role is still not well defined nor fully understood [4,5,6,7]. It has been established that incidence rates of myoma are higher among Black women, but the biologic basis is unclear [5]. The published data about alcohol consumption and uterine myoma are scanty and controversial: some studies found positive association whereas other studies showed no association
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