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.