XENOESTROGEN CONCENTRATION IN WOMEN WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS OR LEIOMYOMAS: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Objectives: To examine xenoestrogen concentration differences between women with leiomyomas or endometriosis and control women, and to study the relationship between the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of these patients and their xenoestrogen levels. Design: Prospective case-control study Setting : Quironsalud Madrid University Hospital, Spain. Sample : Cases included 117 patients who underwent surgery for uterine leiomyomas (74/117), endometriosis (21/117), or both (22/117). One hundred and four healthy women who underwent surgical procedures for other reasons comprised the control group. Methods : Xenoestrogen concentration was determined in the omental fat of all patients. Using a questionnaire and reviewing the patient´s medical records, the investigators collected sociodemographic data and other relevant variables. Main outcome measures : Xenoestrogen concentration (TEXB-α) in omental fat. Results : A significant majority of the study participants (68.8%) had detectable levels of xenoestrogens. We found no association between TEXB-α in omental fat and the presence of myomas or endometriosis. In the case group, women working in Madrid Community exhibited, on average, 2.83 Eeq pM/g higher levels of TEXB-α compared to those working in other areas (p=0.046). Women who referred use of estrogen-containing hormonal contraceptives had, on average, 3.02 Eeq pM/g higher levels of TEXB-α compared to those who had never used them (p=0.022). Conclusions: This study found no association between omental xenoestrogen levels and leiomyomas or endometriosis. However, their presence in most participants and their association with highly polluted areas emphasizes the importance of limiting environmental exposure to these substances. We also identified an association between hormonal contraceptives use and xenoestrogen concentration.