The New Indian Journal of OBGYN. 9(2):361-366

A case control study of association of vitamin D levels with uterine fibroids

Supriya Kapoor, Sunita Maheshwari

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To determine the association of low vitamin D levels and the occurrence of uterine fibroids. Methods: A case control study was conducted on 150 women between 20 to 55 years of age with at least one intrauterine fibroid of 2 cm3 in volume or larger in transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) or transabdominal ultrasound (TAS) who were compared with 150 age matched controls. Fibroid volume and vitamin D levels were measured in the study patients. The relationship of vitamin D with the occurrence and volume of uterine fibroids was determined. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the study patients were 43.4 ± 5.28 years who presented with complaints and complications of prolonged/HMB (74.67%) followed by dysmenorrhea (44.00%), pelvic/abdominal pain (38.00%), anaemia required blood transfusion (31.33%), urinary complaints (20.67%), lump in abdomen (10.67%), dyspareunia (5.33%) and infertility (5.33%). Compared to controls, vitamin D levels were significantly less in cases (16.32 ± 8.58 vs. 31.98 ± 5.33, p<0.0001). A significant negative correlation was seen between vitamin D with fibroid volume (r=-0.674, p<0.0001). Low vitamin D was found to be an independent significant risk factor of presence of uterine fibroid (OR =89.763 for deficient vitamin D and 4.733 for insufficient vitamin D, p<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, low vitamin D carries significantly higher chances of developing big uterine fibroids. This opens up an interesting facet of dietary intake or supplementation of Vitamin D in prevention as well as treatment of uterine fibroid in women of child bearing age.