A Five-Year Survey of Uterine Fibroids at a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

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DOI: 10.4236/ojog.2018.85053    1,482 Downloads   5,665 Views  Citations

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Uterine leiomyomas, commonly called fibroids are benign tumors of uterine myometrium composing of smooth muscle with variable amount of connective tissue and common gynecological problem among women of reproductive age. It is the commonest tumor of the female pelvic organ. Objective: To determine the incidence of uterine fibroids, socio-demographic, clinical characteristics and outcome of uterine leiomyoma management. Material and Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive analysis of all the uterine fibroids carried out at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada from 4th January 2013 to 31st December 2017. Data were obtained from medical records, gynaecological ward and theatre records of University of Abuja Teaching Hospital. Data were analyzed using socio-demographic, clinical characteristics and outcome of uterine leiomyoma management. Results were presented using simple percentages and ratios. Results: Uterine fibroids accounted for 6.4% of all gynaecological admissions and 21. 3% of all major gynaecological surgeries. Uterine fibroid was found to be common between the age range 30 - 39 (47.5%) years, followed by 20 - 29 (26.3%) and 40 - 49 (15.7%) years. One hundred and twenty-two (61.7%) were nulliparous while 48 (24.2%) were primiparous. Majority of the women 88 (44.4%) had tertiary education, 49 (24.7%) secondary, 48 (24.3%) primary and 13 (6.6%) had no formal education. Seventy-six (38.4%) presented with menorrhagia, abdominal mass 71 (35.9%), infertility 68 (34.3%) and abdominal pain 48 (24.2%). Most of the patients had multiple fibroids, 81 (40.9%) had intramural, 70 (35.4%) submucous and 52 (26.3%) subserous. Out of 198, 165 (83.3%) had myomectomy, 23 (11.6%) had total abdominal hysterectomy and 9 (4.6%) myomectomy and tuboplasty. Anaemia 41 (20.7%) was the commonest morbidity, followed by wound infection 12 (6.1%) and wound dehiscence 4 (2.0%). No mortality was recorded during the period under review. Conclusion: Uterine fibroid is common in our environment and usually presents with menorrhagia, abdominal mass, infertility, pelvic pain, and recurrent miscarriage. Thus healthy lifestyle should be encouraged and routine checkups conducted so as to detect and possibly treat such tumours early.

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D. Isah, A. , Adewole, N. , T. Agida, E. and I. Omonua, K. (2018) A Five-Year Survey of Uterine Fibroids at a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 8, 468-476. doi: 10.4236/ojog.2018.85053.

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