Serum Calcium and Magnesium Levels in Women with Uterine Fibroids in Southwest Nigeria: a Cross-sectional Study

Studies have suggested the potential roles of serum macronutrients such as calcium and magnesium in the development of uterine fibroids. The primary objective was to assess the association between serum magnesium and calcium levels and the prevalence of uterine fibroids in women of reproductive age. A cross-sectional study of 194 parity-matched women with or without a sonographic diagnosis of uterine fibroids enrolled at a university teaching hospital in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. Participants' sociodemographic, ultrasound, and anthropometric information as well as the estimated serum levels of calcium and magnesium were collected for statistical analyses. This study found significant negative associations between low serum calcium levels and uterine fibroids (adjusted odds ratio = 0.06), uterine size, and the number of fibroid nodules. However, no significant association was observed between serum magnesium levels and uterine fibroids. This study found significant inverse associations between low serum calcium levels and uterine fibroids, uterine size, and the number of fibroid nodules.

Serum Calcium and Magnesium Levels in Women with Uterine Fibroids at a University Teaching Hospital in Southwest Nigeria: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Studies have suggested the potential roles of serum trace elements such as calcium and magnesium in the development of uterine fibroids. Aims: This study compared magnesium and calcium serum levels in reproductive-age women with and without uterine fibroids in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study of 194 parity-matched women with or without a sonographic diagnosis of uterine fibroids enrolled at a university teaching hospital in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. Participants' sociodemographic, ultrasound, and anthropometric information as well as the estimated serum levels of calcium and magnesium were collected for statistical analyses. Results: This study found significant negative associations between low serum calcium levels and uterine fibroids (adjusted odds ratio= 0.06; 95% CI: 0.004, 0.958; p=0.047), uterine size (p=0.004), and the number of fibroid nodules (p=0.030). However, no significant association was observed between serum magnesium levels and uterine fibroids (p=0.341). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest the promising role of calcium-rich diets and supplements in the prevention of uterine fibroids among Nigerian women. However, future longitudinal studies are required to further evaluate the potential role of these trace mineral elements in the development of uterine fibroids.

A clinical audit of the patterns of presentations and complications of abdominal myomectomy at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abdominal myomectomy is a common modality of treatment for large and symptomatic uterine fibroids in women who wish to retain their fertility. Black women have higher rates and larger sizes of uterine fibroids. We aimed to determine the presentation patterns, peri-operative complications, and determinants of complications in patients who underwent abdominal myomectomy. This was a retrospective review of women who had abdominal myomectomy between July 2016 and June 2019. There were intra-operative complications and post-operative complications in 25% and 29.3% of patients respectively. There were higher odds for developing intra-operative complications among those who had general anaesthesia [OR = 3.514, 95%CI (1.951-6.331)], more than 10 fibroid nodules enucleated [OR = 4.917, 95%CI (2.600-9.298)], pre-operative Packed cell volume (PCV) < 30% [OR = 4.831, 95%CI (2.370-9.880)], presence of adhesions [OR = 2.680, 95%CI (1.510-4.730)], fibroids larger than 10 centimetres [OR = 1.98, 95%CI (1.13-3.49)], previous pelvic surgery [OR = 2.68, 95%CI (1.52-4.63)]. Post-operative complications were higher in those who had general anaesthesia or pre-existing medical conditions.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Abdominal myomectomy is a major surgical procedure globally with a significant morbidity rate. Sufficient evidence relating to the determinants of peri-operative complications are lacking.What do the results of this study add? Our results highlight the factors associated with increased odds of developing complications following abdominal myomectomy.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our study complements existing data on the peri-operative complications following abdominal myomectomy. It also reflects the possibility of mortality albeit a rarerity. A retrospective multivariate analysis like this, while classifying morbidities into intra-operative and post-operative complications, is required to start an audit cycle. Knowing these determinants will help improve patient optimisation for surgery, identify high risk women and enhance more directed counselling. The results from this pilot study will also be used to design a prospective study to be undertaken by the authors.