Association of physical activity with development of uterine leiomyoma.
The relation between physical activity and uterine leiomyomata (fibroids) has received little study, but exercise is protective for breast cancer, another hormonally mediated tumor. Participants in this study were randomly selected members of a health plan based in Washington, DC, aged 35-49 years (734 African Americans, 455 Whites) enrolled between 1996 and 1999. Fibroid status was based on ultrasound screening. Physical activity was based on detailed interview questions. Logistic regression with adjustment for body mass index and other risk factors showed that women in the highest category of physical activity were significantly less likely to have fibroids (odds ratio = 0.6, 95% confidence interval = 0.4, 0.9 for the highest vs. the lowest category (equivalent to approximately > or =7 hours/week vs <2 hours/week)). There was a dose-response pattern; a significant trend was seen for both African-American and White women. A multistate Bayesian analysis indicated that exercise was associated with tumor onset more strongly than with tumor growth. When data for women who reported major fibroid-related symptoms were excluded, results remained essentially unchanged, suggesting that the observed association could not be attributed to reverse causation (fibroids preventing exercise). The authors concluded that regular exercise might help women prevent fibroids.
Baird
Donna Day
DD
Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. baird@niehs.nih.gov
Dunson
David B
DB
Hill
Michael C
MC
Cousins
Deborah
D
Schectman
Joel M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004219:District of Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D044465:White People