Abstract
Uterine fibroids (UFs) are benign tumors of the reproductive tract, arising from smooth muscle cells of the uterus. Steroid hormones, estrogen, and progesterone are considered to be the most important links in the pathophysiology of UFs. Alpha-tocopherol (AT) is the most active form of vitamin E. What is important as far as UFs are concerned is that ATs contain structural determinants, which makes them possible ligands for estrogen receptors (ERs). We present a retrospective cohort study performed in a university teaching hospital. We included a total of 162 patients divided into 2 groups: with UFs and controls. The effects of age, body mass index (BMI), positive medical history, parity, and AT serum concentrations on the risk for the development of UFs were investigated. Mean AT serum concentrations were 11.66 ± 4.97 μg/ml and 7.83 ± 3.13 μg/ml (medians 10.56 μg/ml and 7.42 μg/ml) in patients with UFs confirmed on ultrasound and controls, respectively. The presented difference was statistically significant. Higher BMI, positive family history, and low parity were found to be major risk factors for UFs. In our study, we confirmed that elevated serum AT concentration might be an important risk factor for UFs in Caucasian women. Further research in this area is necessary.
Highlights
Uterine fibroids (UFs) are benign tumors of the reproductive tract, arising from smooth muscle cells of the uterus
The subjects were subdivided into 2 groups: women admitted to hospital for surgery due to UFderived clinical symptoms, e.g., abnormal uterine bleeding, anemia, abdominal and pelvic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, and infertility (UF-positive patients), and controls, recruited among the outpatient clinic patients during control visits and including women without identified UF (UFnegative)
According to authors of the cited study, it had a limitation in a sample size which was too small to produce reliable results for specific demographic features, e.g., different races that might have been an important modifier in studied associations [42]
Summary
Uterine fibroids (UFs) are benign tumors of the reproductive tract, arising from smooth muscle cells of the uterus. As many as 80% of women may develop UFs, which is associated with several risk factors, mainly age and ethnicity [1, 2]. Depending on their localization and size, UFs may cause different clinical symptoms, including abnormal uterine bleeding, iron-deficiency anemia, pain, constipation, bloating, polyuria, dyspareunia, infertility, and many others [1,2,3,4]. UFs are one of the major reasons for surgery in women [2, 6,7,8] What is more, they can be recurrent and often require repeated surgical interventions [8]. Other UF-associated costs, including pharmacological treatment, hygiene accessories, BioMed Research International imaging diagnostics, and absenteeism at work, ought to be mentioned as well [7, 9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
