Influence of vitamin D and transforming growth factor β3 serum concentrations, obesity, and family history on the risk for uterine fibroids

Objective: To evaluate the influence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGF-beta 3) serum concentrations, weight, and family history on the risk of developing uterine fibroids. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): A total of 188 women, including patients admitted for uterine fibroid surgery (n = 105) as the study group and healthy women of similar age (n = 83) as controls. Intervention(s): Medical history and completion of specially designed questionnaire, transvaginal or transabdominal genital ultrasound scan, blood sampling, and measurement of vitamin D and TGF-b3 serum concentrations. Main Outcome Measure(s): Evaluation of the impact of family history, vitamin D, and TGF-b3 serum concentrations on the risk of developing uterine fibroids. Result(s): Mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D serum concentrations were 21.9 +/- 8.9 ng/mL and 26.7 +/- 11.9 ng/mL in patients with uterine fibroids and controls, respectively. The difference was statistically significant. The TGF-b3 serum concentrations in the fibroid-positive group ranged from 1.20 to 436.15 pg/mL (half the patients had concentrations >16.25 pg/mL). Concentrations in the control group ranged from 0.96 to 49.08 pg/mL (half the women had concentrations of >11.80 pg/mL). The differences were statistically significant. Higher body mass index (BMI) and positive family history were also found to be among the risk factors for uterine fibroids. Conclusion(s): Our study confirmed higher BMI, positive family history, and lower vitamin D and higher TGF-b3 serum concentrations as risk factors for uterine fibroids. (C) 2016 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.