Association between serum vitamin D status and uterine leiomyomas: a case-control study

• Main Authors: Chukwuemeka Chukwubuikem Okoro (Author), Okechukwu Christian Ikpeze (Author), George Uchenna Eleje (Author), Gerald Okanandu Udigwe (Author), Chukwuemeka Okwudili Ezeama (Author), Joseph Odirichukwu Ugboaja (Author), Chukwunonso Isaiah Enechukwu (Author), Osita Samuel Umeononihu (Author), Chukwudi Anthony Ogabido (Author), Charlotte Blanche Oguejiofor (Author), Tobechi Kingsley Njoku (Author), Richard Obinwanne Egeonu (Author), Chigozie Geoffrey Okafor (Author), Hillary Ikechukwu Obiagwu (Author), Chukwudubem Chinagorom Onyejiaka (Author), Afam Ben Obidike (Author), Christian Ejike Onah (Author), Ifeanyi Uzukwu (Author), Amarachukwu Doris Okoro (Author), Evaristus Chino Ezema (Author), Adaobi Maryann Ibekwe (Author), Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2287-8572; 2287-8580; 10.5468/ogs.23143
• Keywords: leiomyoma; fibroid; vitamin d; hypovitaminosis d; vitamin d deficiency; Gynecology and obstetrics; RG1-991
• Source: Obstetrics & Gynecology Science, Vol 67, Iss 1, Pp 101-111 (2024)

Objective Uterine leiomyoma is a common gynecological condition that negatively affects women's quality of life. Vitamin D plays an important role in tumor development and progression. However, clinical studies comparing serum vitamin D levels between women with and without uterine leiomyomas are limited and inconclusive. This study aimed to compare serum vitamin D levels in women with and without uterine leiomyomas. Methods This hospital-based case-control study included 150 women who visited a gynecological clinic. The cases included 75 women with uterine leiomyoma, whereas the controls included 75 age-and parity-matched participants without uterine leiomyoma. Serum vitamin D levels were measured in each participant and volumes of the uterine leiomyomas were determined using the water displacement method following myomectomy. The statistical significance was inferred at P<0.05. Results The mean serum vitamin D level was 15.26±4.96 ng/mL and 22.45±6.93 ng/mL for the case and control groups, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (t-value −7.302 and P<0.001). Within the fibroid group, nine (12.0%), 49 (65.33%), and 17 (22.67%) participants had vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency, respectively; and in the control group, two (2.67%), 24 (45.33%), and 39 (52.0%) participants had vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency, respectively. There was significant negative correlation between the fibroid volume and the serum vitamin D level (r=−0.591, P<0.001). Conclusion Women with uterine leiomyoma had lower vitamin D levels than women in the control group. Lower vitamin D levels were associated with larger fibroid masses. Therefore, vitamin D supplementation may reduce fibroid growth and development.