04 Jul Statin Users Have Lower Incidence of Uterine Fibroids
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Mostafa Borahay
Mostafa Borahay, MD, PhD, FACOG
Assistant Professor
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Galveston, TX
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Uterine fibroids are the commonest tumors of the female reproductive system. More than 50% of women are estimated to have uterine fibroids. In fact, 1 out of 4 women undergo a hysterectomy in the United States and half of these hysterectomies are due to fibroids.
Recently we demonstrated that statins, drugs used to fight high cholesterol, have anti-tumor effects on uterine fibroids as shown in cells and animal models.
In this current study, we examined the incidence of uterine fibroids and fibroid-associated symptoms in women taking statins for high cholesterol. We performed this using large national patient database.
We found that compared to non-users, statin users have lower incidence of uterine fibroids. Furthermore, they have less heavy bleeding, pelvic pain and other fibroid-associated symptoms. Also, they needed less surgeries to remove tumors (myomectomy).
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Currently, we don’t have a successful, safe long term medical treatment for uterine fibroids. Surgeries, typically a hysterectomy, is commonly performed for fibroids. This study provide some evidence that a safe long term medical treatment can be available for treating these tumors. This provides hope for many women, especially those interested in preserving their childbearing potential.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: After finding strong evidence from cellular and animal experiments and using patient databases, our next step is clinical trials. We plan to start a clinical trial for statins in women with fibroids in the near future. The established safety of statins represents a huge advantage.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Response: The successful work over the last few years stresses the huge benefits from and the critical need for a multidisciplinary teams in medical research. Our team included clinicians, basic scientists and biostatisticians and epidemiologists.
Also, there is a need for more funding for medical research. Scientific research to discover innovative treatments requires funding and therefore the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other funding bodies have a large responsibility to fulfil.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Jun 28. pii: S0002-9378(16)30381-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2016.06.036. [Epub ahead of print]
Statin Use and Uterine Fibroid Risk in Hyperlipidemia Patients: A Nested Case-Control Study.
Borahay MA1, Fang X2, Baillargeon JG2, Kilic GS3, Boehning DF4, Kuo YF2.
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
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Last Updated on July 4, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD