NULLIPARITY, DELAYED CHILD BIRTH AND OBESITY: POTENTIAL RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF UTERINE FIBROID IN SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA

Background: Causes of fibroid are still unknown. Despite series of cytogenetic investigations, the uncertainty remains as to the primary or secondary genetic changes and their impact on the initiation or promotion of fibroid development. Purpose: To determine the effect of obesity, nulliparity and delayed child birth on the occurrence of uterine fibroid. Materials and Methods: A prospective sonographic survey was carried out in a population of women in South-South region of Nigeria. Ultrasound scan was performed in 240 randomly selected women aged 20 – 45 years, presenting for scans at the time of study. Subjects’ ages and reproductive history were obtained to ascertain their parity status and ages at which parous women had their first children. Results: Results showed a weak positive association (r = 0.1; p < 0.05) between uterine fibroid and delayed child birth and nulliparity at 31-35 years. A strong positive association (r = 0.9; p < 0.05) was observed at 36 – 45 years. There was no statistically significant association between low, normal and high body mass index with uterine fibroid; however, a significant association (r = 0.85; p < 0.05) was observed with obesity. Conclusion: Delayed child birth and nulliparity after 36 years of age appeared to be the most potent risk factor for uterine fibroid in the population studied.