Uterine Fibroids “Spectrum of Presentation and Its Impact on Women’s Health

Objective: Uterine fibroids are the most frequently observed benign tumor that develops in female reproductive system, most commonly found in women of 50 years of age. Menorrhagia is the most common clinical manifestation of uterine fibroids. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the clinical presentation, early detection with the best treatment modalities in women with uterine fibroids.

Methodology: This was a prospective hospital based observational study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Mirpurkhas after taking ethical approval from institution review board. The duration of the study was about 9 months from July 2019 to March 2020. A total of 100 women in their reproductive age (20-50 years) who ever experienced menstrual abnormalities, complained of abdomino-pelvic mass, pain, urinary and bowl symptoms, anemia and infertility were included in the study. Categorical variables such as parity, age, anemic status, associated symptoms, diagnostic method, and treatment modalities were analyzed as frequencies and percentages.

Results: The study results showed that out of 100 patients, 19 (19.0%) patients were between 20-30 years of age, 23 (23.0%) between 31-40 years and 58 (58.0%) falls between 41-45 years of age, 67(67.0%) women had >3 children. Symptoms associated with uterine fibroids included 74(74.0%) were anemic. Dysmenorrhea was seen in 50(50.0%) patients, menorrhagia in 50(50.0%) patients. Palpable fibroid mass was felt in 35(35.0%) patients while 78(78.0%) cases reported fibroid masses on ultrasonography. Treatment of uterine fibroid included total abdominal hysterectomy was performed in 65 (65.0%) patients, myomectomy was carried out in 21 (21.0%).

Conclusion: This study concluded that multiparous patients were reported to have uterine fibroids more frequently as compared to nulliparous particularly in the age of 41-50 years old. The most common clinical manifestation was menorrhagia with anemia, persistent pain and pressure symptoms that have a negative impact on women’s social, sexual, and work life.