The progesterone receptor gene polymorphism, PROGINS, may be a factor related to the development of uterine fibroids.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the possible association between the polymorphic allele of the progesterone receptor gene, named PROGINS, and uterine leiomyomas.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Department of Gynecology. Teaching hospital.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-two premenopausal women with fibroids and 125 postmenopausal controls not presenting the disease.


METHODS
The subjects were classified as White or non-White (Black and Mulatto) and the progesterone receptor genotyping was performed, with DNA extracted from uterus in cases and from peripheric blood in controls and submitted to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and agarose gel electrophoresis.


METHODS
The presence of the PROGINS allele was recorded, and its frequency as well as the genotypic distribution among cases and controls were compared according to race.


RESULTS
PROGINS-positive genotypes (heterozygous or mutant homozygous) were found in 19% of White and 11% of non-White women, and allelic frequency of PROGINS in the groups was 10.4% and 6.2%, respectively. Comparing patients and controls, we observed a significant difference among non-White women, both regarding presence of PROGINS-positive genotypes (4.9% vs. 25%, respectively), and PROGINS allele frequency (3.3% vs. 12.5%, respectively). There was no significant difference in PROGINS-positive genotypes among White cases and controls (16.4% vs. 20.6%, respectively), and in their allelic frequency (8.2% vs. 11.9%, respectively). The odds ratio showed reduced risk of fibroids related to PROGINS-positive genotypes in non-White women (odds ratio = 0.16, 95% confidence interval: 0.04-0.66), but not among White subjects (odds ratio = 0.76, 95% confidence interval: 0.33-1.74).


CONCLUSIONS
The PROGINS polymorphism revealed to be protective in terms of uterine fibroids in Brazilian non-White women.
Gomes
Mariano Tamura Vieira
MT
Department of Gynecology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. marianotvg@einstein.br <marianotvg@einstein.br>
Castro
Rodrigo de Aquino
Rde A
Villanova
Fabiola Elizabeth
FE
da Silva
Ismael Dale Cotrim Guerreiro
ID
Baracat
Edmund Chada
EC
de Lima
Geraldo Rodrigues
GR
Girão
Manoel João Batista Castello
MJ
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000235:genetics*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*
D011980:Receptors, Progesterone