Prevalence of Asymptomatic Uterine Fibroids in Japanese Women

Abstract

Objective: To examine the prevalence of asymptomatic uterine fibroids (UFs) in Japanese women visiting a medical checkup center and assess the associations between the prevalence of asymptomatic UF and parity.

Methods: Transvaginal ultrasound was performed on 3,682 healthy Japanese women 19–81 years old at our center between April 2021 and March 2022. We examined the overall and age group prevalence of asymptomatic UFs. Furthermore, we determined the relationship between the prevalence of asymptomatic UFs and parity.

Results: The overall prevalence of asymptomatic UFs was 39.2%. By age group, women in their 50s had the highest rate at 50.5%, followed by those in their 60s (39.6%) and those in their 40s (39.1%). The prevalence of asymptomatic UFs was significantly higher in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women (44.7% vs. 36.0%, respectively, p<0.001), and in nulliparous women than in parous women (51.1% vs. 36.5%, respectively, p<0.001). The highest rate of asymptomatic UFs was seen in nulliparous women in their 50s (70.9%). The prevalence of asymptomatic UFs decreased significantly as parity increased (p<0.001).

Conclusions: The prevalence of asymptomatic UFs in Japanese women was 39.2%. Asymptomatic UFs are more common in women in their 50s. Prevalence was higher in postmenopausal than premenopausal women. Women with asymptomatic UFs were more likely to be nulliparous than parous.