Uterine Fibroid Prevalence in a Predominantly Black, Chicago-Based Cohort

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024 Feb 14;21(2):222. doi: 10.3390/ijerph21020222.

Abstract

(1) Objectives: To investigate the effect of individual-level, neighborhood, and environmental variables on uterine fibroid (UF) prevalence in a Chicago-based cohort. (2) Methods: Data from the Chicago Multiethnic Prevention and Surveillance Study (COMPASS) were analyzed. Individual-level variables were obtained from questionnaires, neighborhood variables from the Chicago Health Atlas, and environmental variables from NASA satellite ambient air exposure levels. The Shapiro-Wilk test, logistic regression models, and Spearman's correlations were used to evaluate the association of variables to UF diagnosis. (3) Results: We analyzed 602 participants (mean age: 50.3 ± 12.3) who responded to a question about UF diagnosis. More Black than White participants had a UF diagnosis (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.62-2.79). We observed non-significant trends between individual-level and neighborhood variables and UF diagnosis. Ambient air pollutants, PM2.5, and DSLPM were protective against UF diagnosis (OR 0.20, CI: 0.04-0.97: OR 0.33, CI: 0.13-0.87). (4) Conclusions: Associations observed within a sample in a specific geographic area may not be generalizable and must be interpreted cautiously.

Keywords: environmental justice; fibroids; leiomyomas; myomas; pollution; uterine fibroids.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Air Pollutants* / analysis
  • Chicago / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leiomyoma* / epidemiology
  • Logistic Models
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Uterine Neoplasms*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants

Grants and funding

This research was supported by funding from NIH grants P30ES027792 and U2RTW010122, and the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center. Additionally, the environmental linkage was funded by NIEHS Grant #P30 ES027792.