Low Plasma Vitamin D as a Predictor of Uterine Fibroids in a Nigerian Population

Abstract

Background: Uterine fibroid is the most common benign tumour of the uterus and the exact cause is unknown. Vitamin D has been found to inhibit cell proliferation and enhance apoptosis in vitro. Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the plasma level of Vitamin D among women with uterine fibroids and those without uterine fibroids. Materials and Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted among women with uterine fibroids and those without uterine fibroids. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain relevant information. Five millilitres of venous blood was obtained for plasma Vitamin D assay. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS version 22. Level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: There were 100 participants recruited for the study. The mean age of the participants with uterine fibroid was 35.06 ± 6.6 years and that of controls was 33.28 ± 7 years. The mean plasma level of Vitamin D for all the participants was 12.47 ± 7.53 ng/ml. The mean plasma level of Vitamin D in those with uterine fibroids was significantly lower than in those without uterine fibroid (10.16 ± 7.78 vs. 14.35 ± 6.8; t = 2.517, P = 0.014). It also shows that 1 unit increase in Vitamin D level will reduce the risk of developing uterine fibroids by 8% (odds ratio = 0.92, 95% confidence interval = 0.86–0.99). Conclusion: The predictors of uterine fibroids were fewer hours spent outdoors, middle social class and low Vitamin D levels.

Dietary Natural Compounds and Vitamins as Potential Cofactors in Uterine Fibroids Growth and Development

“…It is estimated that Vitamin D deficiency affects 25-50% (possibly more) of patients [51]. Several studies found that insubstantial levels of Vitamin D can contribute to the development of UFs in African American, Caucasian, and Asian women alike [52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60]. Vitamin D 3 deficiency activates fibroid cell growth, exacerbates DNA damage, and reduces DNA repairability; it promotes uncontrolled proliferation and fibrosis, and increases chronic inflammation.…”

“…Vitamin D 3 inhibited TGF-β3-induced protein expression and all TGF-β3-mediated effects involved in the fibrotic processes in leiomyoma. Other studies indicate that increasing Vitamin D levels by one unit can reduce the risk of developing UFs by 4-8% [59,64]. Hajhashemi et al confirmed a significant decrease in leiomyoma size after 10 weeks of vitamin D administration [76].…”

Vitamin D and uterine fibroid growth, incidence, and loss: a prospective ultrasound study

“…Although the association between vitamin D and fibroid incidence has not been previously studied, a recent systematic review and additional observational studies report lower concentrations of 25(OH)D among women with prevalent fibroids than those without fibroids (6,(45)(46)(47). The observational studies rely on self-reported fibroid status, and this results in undiagnosed fibroids being included in the ''noncase'' group (5) as well as temporal misclassification of 25(OH)D concentrations.…”

Evidence-Based Approach for Secondary Prevention of Uterine Fibroids (The ESCAPE Approach)

“…Studies have reported associations between vitamin D deficiency and impaired fertility, including decreased pregnancy rates and increased risk of pregnancy complications [131,132]. It was reported that the predictors of UFs were fewer hours spent outdoors, middle social class and low vitamin D levels [133]. Vitamin D and its analogs seem to be promising, effective, and low-cost compounds in the management of UFs and their clinical symptoms, and the anti-tumor activities of vitamin D play an important role in UF biology.…”