Risk factors associated with endometrial polyps in abnormal uterine bleeding.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the significance of various risk factors associated with endometrial polyps in women with abnormal uterine bleeding.


METHODS
A prospective cohort study of 248 consecutive patients evaluated for abnormal uterine bleeding in a Rapid Access Ambulatory Diagnostic (RAAD) clinic was carried out from 1996 to 1997. Endometrial polyps were diagnosed using outpatient hysteroscopy and their histological nature was confirmed in all patients by performing inpatient polypectomy. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was used to evaluate the effects of age, parity, menopausal status, hormone replacement therapy and tamoxifen treatment on the occurrence of polyps.


RESULTS
In an analysis adjusted for the effects of age, parity and menopausal status, tamoxifen treatment was associated with endometrial polyps (adjusted odds ratio 11.21, 95% confidence interval 2.70-46.46, P=0.0009) but hormone replacement therapy was not (adjusted odds ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval 0.68-3.20, P=0.32).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study confirmed that tamoxifen is associated with endometrial polyps. However, it rejects the hypothesis that hormone replacement therapy is a risk factor for endometrial polyps.
Bakour
S H
SH
Birmingham Minimal Access Surgical Training (MAST) Centre, Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Gupta
J K
JK
Khan
K S
KS
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D013629:Tamoxifen