TITLE:
Clinical and Demographic Profile of Women with Uterine Fibroids Living in Puerto Rico
AUTHORS:
Edwin Y. Soto-Velázquez, Alexander J. Jaramillo-Cañas, Shania N. Aponte-Paris, Gabriela V. Martínez-Marrero, Irazu S. Guinan, Gabrielle A. Rivera-Maldonado, Alexandra Novas, Pedro L. Cruz-Rosa, Idhaliz Flores-Caldera, Maricarmen Colón-Diaz
KEYWORDS:
Uterine Fibroids, Puerto Rico, Epidemiology, Dysmenorrhea, Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.14 No.9,
September
13,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Uterine leiomyomas, or fibroids, are prevalent benign tumors affecting up to 70% of reproductive-age women in the United States, significantly impacting productivity and quality of life. Despite their commonality, the epidemiology and clinical patterns of leiomyomas in Puerto Rico remain inadequately researched. Methods: This study conducted a secondary data analysis using clinical, menstrual cycle characteristics, and demographic data from self-administered questionnaires of women undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy for endometriosis in Puerto Rico. Chi-square tests and t-tests analyzed categorical and continuous variables, respectively (p Results: Among 1,610 endometriosis cases, 312 included uterine fibroids. Prevalence estimates were 10.3% (40 years). Primiparous women averaged 22.14 years, with 40.71% having 2 - 3 pregnancies and 26.28% experiencing miscarriages. Symptoms included infertility (29.5%), dyspareunia (40.7%), severe pain (50%), and dysmenorrhea (75.6%). Comorbidities included ovarian cysts (52.2%) and abnormal uterine bleeding (37.8%). Conclusions: Advanced age, parity, and comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension were prevalent in our cohort. Understanding the epidemiological profile of women living in Puerto Rico with uterine fibroids is crucial for improving diagnostic awareness and enhancing patient care.