Endometrial polyps and associated factors in Danish women aged 36-74 years

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with endometrial polyps.

STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study of 140 women with endometrial polyps and 367 controls. Information on potentially associated factors was obtained by a validated questionnaire.

RESULTS: In an age-adjusted logistic regression model, the following was positively associated with endometrial polyps: current use of hormone therapy (odds ratio, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.29-6.13) and being overweight (body mass index > 25 kg/m(2)) (odds ratio, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.12-3.79) (postmenopausal women). Negatively associated was use of oral contraceptive pills (odds ratio, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.06-0.66). Histopathology diagnosed benign endometrial polyps (n = 137), polyp with premalignant disease (n = 3), and benign polyp with concomitant complex hyperplasia/endometrial cancer (n = 3).

CONCLUSION: Being overweight and current use of hormone therapy in postmenopausal women were positively associated, whereas the use of oral contraceptive pills was negatively associated with endometrial polyps. Hypertension and cervical polyps were not associated with endometrial polyps. Endometrial polyps were infrequently related to premalignant and malignant disease.