Cross-Sectional Assessment of the Association Between Circulating 25(OH)D Levels and Uterine Fibroid Occurrence Among Libyan Women of Reproductive Age

• Khadeejah Abraheem

  Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Omar Almukhtar University, Albayda, Libya

  Author

• Ola Mustafa Abdulsadiq

  Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Omar Almukhtar University, Albayda, Libya

  Author

• Hanan El Daffri

  Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Omar Almukhtar University, Albayda, Libya

  Author

Benign tumors of the uterus, known as leiomyomas, constitute the most common non-cancerous growths occurring in the women's reproductive system and are often associated with substantial morbidity among women of reproductive age. Although many cases remain clinically silent, a significant proportion experience symptoms that impair daily functioning and reproductive health. The absence of well-established preventive strategies has directed attention toward modifiable biological factors, including vitamin D status. This comparative study included 122 women (71 diagnosed with fibroids and 51 healthy controls). Clinical data were obtained, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were measured. Fibroid dimensions were assessed using ultrasonography. Statistical analysis employed independent t-tests for group comparisons and Pearson's correlation coefficient to examine relationships between variables. Comparative analysis revealed no meaningful variations in age or BMI between the study groups (p > 0.05). Both groups demonstrated vitamin D levels falling within the insufficient category, showing comparable measurements across groups (p = 0.929). Notably, an inverse relationship emerged between serum vitamin D concentrations and the largest fibroid measurements (r = -0.58, p < 0.001), indicating that lower vitamin D levels corresponded with larger tumor size. Furthermore, women diagnosed with fibroids exhibited a higher prevalence of metabolic conditions, especially elevated blood pressure and respiratory disorders. Although serum vitamin D levels did not differ significantly between groups, lower vitamin D concentrations were significantly associated with increased fibroid size, potentially reflecting its role in regulating cellular proliferation and extracellular matrix dynamics within the myometrium. 

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