Correlation Between Body Mass Index and Fibroadenoma

Abstract

IntroductionAmong all benign conditions, the fibroadenoma is the most common lesion worldwide as well as in Pakistan. Clinicians often face the dilemma of whether to remove the mass or to monitor it by means of periodic follow-up examinations. Although the removal of these lesions is a definitive solution, surgery may involve unnecessary excision of benign lesions and unbecoming cosmesis. Body mass index (BMI) is a known risk factor for the development of breast cancer.However, the relationship between BMI and benign breast diseases is still unclear. Some studies showed that increased BMI is a risk factor for benign breast diseases; however, a large number of studies showed that a decrease in BMI is the risk factor for benign breast diseases.Material and methodsThis was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of General Surgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan. All patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were assessed in the breast clinic of PIMS. A final diagnosis of fibroadenoma was made after a triple assessment. Weight in kilograms and height in meters were measured. All the information was recorded in a specifically designed proforma accordingly by the postgraduate trainee. BMI was calculated by the formula: BMI=Weight in kgs/height in meters. Other variables that were noted include patients' age, gender, contact number, and hospital visit. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, US).ResultsThe BMI of study patients was 21.8 ± 1.3, ranging from 19 to 24.9. Out of 300 patients presenting with benign breast disease, 60 (20%) had a fibroadenoma while 240 (80%) had other benign breast diseases. Out of 136 patients with high BMI, 42 (30.8%) had a fibroadenoma while out of 74 patients with low BMI, eight (10.8%) had a fibroadenoma; however, out of 90 patients with normal BMI, 10 (11.1%) had a fibroadenoma. Our study population showed an increased risk of fibroadenoma formation in the adolescent age group with an OR value of 8.54 (CI 4.38-16.63, P<0.001). There were also additional statistical correlations between higher BMI and the site of the lesion being the upper outer quadrant of the breast (t= 4.326 P<0.01). There was no significant correlation of BMI with size and increased number of lesions (P=0.280 and P=0.175).ConclusionHigh BMI seems to be a substantial risk factor for the development of a fibroadenoma, particularly in young adolescent females.

A Multi-Centric Single-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of the Individualized Homeopathic Intervention in Breast Fibroadenoma

“…The mean age of the study population was 25 years, and the mean BMI was 21. There was no significant association of BMI with the size and number of FAs in this study which aligned with the findings of Mehreen et al [18].…”

An evaluation of the readability and visual appearance of online patient resources for fibroadenoma

“…The options are either to observe the growth or to excise it. Although the latter is uncommon, it is generally based on the lesion size and the healthcare professional's recommendation [8,9].…”

Increased Risk of Breast Fibroadenomas Among Obese and Postmenopausal Women With Uterine Fibroids

“…It is well established that breast fibroadenoma is common among women in their 20s, whereas uterine fibroids are prevalent in women in their 40s [ 15 , 16 ]. Additionally, these benign diseases are known to decrease in size with age and menopausal status, suggesting that they are modulated by endogenous sex hormone concentration in the blood that gradually drops during perimenopause and menopause stages [ 2 , 17 ]. In the present study, however, it is found that both uterine fibroids and breast fibroadenomas coexisted among older women, categories of women known to have lower estrogenic activity in their bodies.…”