Association between serum vitamin D level and uterine fibroid in premenopausal women in Indian population

Abstract

We aim to evaluate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ levels and total number, volume and location of uterine fibroids (UFs) in premenopausal women in North Indian population. This case control study was undertaken in 310 women between 18 years and 45 years of age. Cases comprised of 102 women with fibroid lesion and the control group included 208 women with normal uterine morphology on ultrasonography. Blood samples were taken for measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ levels. The mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ level in the study and control group was 14.52 ± 7.89 ng/mL and 26.6 ± 14.36 ng/mL respectively (p < 0.05). There was significant inverse correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ levels and total volume of fibroids (p = 0.000) while none between 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ levels with location, number of fibroids. 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ deficiency was more common in the study group (54.90%) compared to healthy controls (6.7%) while sufficiency was more common among controls (67.8% vs. 27.45) (p < 0.05). Women with deficient 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ levels have an odds of 18.36 for developing uterine fibroid. Women with low parity, those belonging to higher socioeconomic status and having less than 1-hour sun exposure per day were independently found to have high risk for development of UFs. Vitamin D may have a role in growth of UFs. Women not able to get adequate sun exposure due to indoor working conditions may need evaluation and supplementation as prophylaxis for development of fibroid.