Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2026 Mar 2;321:115050. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2026.115050. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
INTRO: Uterine fibroids are the most common benign genital tract tumours in women, causing a variety of symptoms including lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The relationship between fibroid size and location, and LUTs is not well established. In this study we aim to understand the relationship between uterine volume and fibroid volume and location, with LUTs as self-reported using the King’s Health Questionnaire (KHQ).
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Women recruited to this study underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) performed with T2-weighted tri-planar MR images. The total uterine volume (TUV) and volume of the largest fibroid (VolFib) were calculated by Reportcard© software. Participants completed the KHQ, a validated questionnaire for LUTs and quality of life.
RESULTS: Linear regression analysis and ANOVA demonstrated that both TUV and VolFib have statistically significant relationships with multiple score domains of the KHQ. Mann Whitney U test showed that an anterior location of VolFib only had a statistically significant relationship with domain 8- sleep/energy score. However anterior fibroids > 500 cm3 showed a statistically significant relationship to the symptom severity score (p = 0.014).
CONCLUSIONS: Increasing uterine volume and fibroid volume was associated with worsening urinary symptom severity and a negative impact on quality of life. Our data demonstrated that the volume of the largest fibroid had the greatest impact on LUTs severity and quality of life. We found that anteriorly located dominant fibroids only had a statistically significant impact on symptom severity if they were > 500 cm3 in volume.
PMID:41795480 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2026.115050
