Prevalence of self-reported medical diagnosis of uterine leiomyomas in a Brazilian population: demographic and socioeconomic patterns in the Pro-Saúde Study.

INTRODUCTION

Uterine leiomyomas (UL) are considered the most common tumors of the female reproductive system. However, there are few epidemiological studies about this condition in Brazil.

AIM

To estimate the prevalence of self-reported history of UL according to demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, and to markers of access to health care.

METHODS

We analyzed data from 1,733 university employees who participated at the baseline waves of the Pro-Saude Study (1999-2001), in relation to three outcomes: (1) self-reported medical diagnosis of UL, (2) UL with symptoms prior to diagnosis, and (3) cases with hysterectomy due to UL. Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated in relation to strata of variables related to demographic (age, color/race) and socioeconomic characteristics (education, income) and of markers of access to health care (Pap smear, breast clinical exam and private health insurance status).

RESULTS

The prevalence of medically-diagnosed UL was 23.3% (95% CI - 21.3, 25.2), the UL with symptoms prior to diagnosis of 13.3% (95% CI - 11.7, 15.0) and hysterectomy due to UL, 8.4% (95% CI - 7.5, 10.3). Among participants younger than 45 years old, higher prevalence was observed among women with worse socioeconomic conditions and of black color/race. Among those with 45 years or more, there was higher prevalence among women with better access to health care.

CONCLUSION

In this study population of Brazilian women, UL is a relevant health problem, and its prevalence and associated socio-demographic gradients are similar to those observed in other countries.