Racial differences in fibroid prevalence and ultrasound findings in asymptomatic young women (18-30 years old): A pilot study

摘要

Objective: 1) To determine the prevalence of fibroids in asymptomatic young black and white women (ages 18-30 y); 2) to determine other differences in uterine and adnexal anatomy; and 3) to obtain preliminary data for sample size calculations. Design: Pilot cross-sectional study. Setting: Academic medical center. Patient(s): One hundred one nonparous black and white women, ages 18-30 years, with no known diagnosis of fibroids or clinically suggestive symptoms. Intervention(s): A transvaginal ultrasound was performed in the follicular phase in all subjects. Main Outcome Measure(s): 1) Presence of fibroids; 2) endometrial thickness; 3) ovarian findings. Result(s): Of the 101 participants (mean age 24.5 ± 3.5 y), 43% self-identified as black and 57% as white. The prevalence of ultrasound-diagnosed fibroids was 15% overall (26% in black women and 7% in white women). The mean fibroid size was 2.3 ± 2.1 cm. There was a significant difference in endometrial thickness between races, even after adjusting for contraception use and fibroid presence. Conclusion(s): Racial differences in fibroid prevalence exist even before women become symptomatic. Findings of thicker endometrium in black women could have clinical implications and warrants further investigation.