RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OBESITY AND LEIOMYOMAS AMONG GHANAIAN WOMEN
(RUNNING TITLE: OBESITY AND FIBROID AMONG GHANAIAN WOMEN)
Eric Kwasi Ofori 1, Matilda Asante 2, William Kwadwo Antwi 3, Jerry Coleman 4; Edmund Kwadwo Brakohiapa 5, Dzefi-Tettey, Klenam 6, Hewlett Kwaku Vincent 7, Addo Patience 8
1, 3, 8 Department of Radiography, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu-Accra, Ghana
2Department of Dietetics, University of Ghana
4 Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
5Department of Radiology, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana
6, 7 Department of Radiology, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
Email: erikof2001@yahoo.co.uk
BACKGROUND: Leiomyomas (uterine fibroids), the most common benign tumours affecting premenopausal women are often associated with considerable hospitalization and morbidity.
AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between Obesity and fibroid among Ghanaian women.
METHOD: A prospective cross sectional study was carried out using 584 women, who presented for trans-abdomino pelvic ultrasound examination in a Diagnostic Centre in Accra, Ghana between June and December, 2012. The ultrasound images and their corresponding reports were produced by a Consultant Radiologist and further confirmed by an independent Consultant Radiologist. Demographic and anthropometric data (weight and height) were obtained from the women. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated and obesity was determined using World Health Organization classification.
RESULTS:
The mean age of the women was 35.42yrs ± 9.34 (range, 20-74 years). The ultrasound images revealed that 37.0% (216/584) of the women had fibroids. Out of this number, (216) 37.0% and 45.4% were overweight and obese respectively. The highest prevalence (43.1%) of fibroid cases was found among women aged 30-39. A significant relationship was found between BMI, Level of Education and development of fibroid (R= -0.196; χ2 value= 29.618; p = 0.001) and (R= 0.399, χ2 value= 92.923; p = 0.001) respectively. There was also a significant relationship between BMI and Level of Education (R = -0.150; χ2 value= 33.556; p = 0.001).
CONCLUSION: The study showed that obesity is a major risk factor for leiomyomas among Ghanaian women. Health intervention programmes should focus on strategies on weight management in this population.
Keywords: Obesity; leiomyomas; Ghanaian women.