Leiomyomas in an African Caribbean hysterectomy population considered to be ethnically related to African Americans

Abstract

BackgroundUterine leiomyoma has been reported to be a worse problematic disease for African American than Caucasian women in the US. Data are almost non-existent for other populations of African ancestry. Our aim was to investigate the hypothesis of an equivalent influence of ethnicity on uterine leiomyomas for women of a French African-Caribbean population. Basic proceduresRetrospective analysis of hysterectomies performed from 2010 to 2015 at the teaching hospital of Guadeloupe (French West Indies), where most inhabitants are of West African origin, was carried out. Data of the 899 hysterectomies, including those for malignancy, were collected, in particular, uterine weight. Main findingsThe indications were leiomyoma in 66.5 % of cases and leiomyomas were found in 91 % of all cases. The mean age and uterine weight were 51.7 years and 464 g for the entire population, 50.2 years and 488 g for the population without malignancies, and 47.0 years and 567 g for the population with leiomyomas. Principal conclusionsThe data were compared to those reported in the literature for several populations, notably African Americans and Caucasians in the US and mainland France. This comparison supports the hypothesis that Guadeloupean women, an African-Caribbean population, have characteristics in terms of uterine leiomyoma that are close to those of African Americans. Although confirmation is required, these results highlight the need for specific research, therapeutic approaches, and improved early management of these populations.