The Association Between Uterine Leiomyoma and Hypertension: A Single Center Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD), mainly Hypertension (HTN), is the leading cause of death among women. Uterine Leiomyomas (UL) which have been associated with hypertension in multiple studies, may be a female-specific risk factor. Fibroids have become a primary reason for myomectomy and hysterectomy, nowadays. This study aims at the relationship between HTN and fibroids.
 Methods: This case-control study was conducted on patients with symptomatic UL, scheduled for surgery. Patients were studied based on Blood Pressure (BP), the number and size of fibroids, past medical conditions, and gynecological history.
 Results: Four hundred patients, divided into two groups of control and case, were studied. Menometrorrhagia was the most common reason for referral in both groups (328 patients in general). The use of Oral Contraceptives (OCP) (12 vs. 5%), anemia (57 vs. 38.5%), history of infertility (11.5 vs. 3.5%), and abortion (38.5 vs. 22%) was significantly higher in patients with fibroids. 24% of patients with fibroid suffered from hypertension; which was higher in comparison to the control group (9%). Patients with UL were 4.9 times in danger of having HTN.
 Conclusion: UL is associated with hypertension. It is also concluded that anemia, rate of abortion, and infertility are higher in patients with UL.