The role of anti-proliferative effects of atorvastatin on uterine fibroids: findings from a clinical study

• Published in: Gynecological endocrinology Vol. 37; no. 8; pp. 721 - 724
• Main Authors: Ghafarzadeh, Masoumeh, Shakarami, Amir, Yari, Fatemeh, Marzban Rad, Zahra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 03-08-2021
• Subjects: Adult; antiproliferative effects; atorvastatin; Atorvastatin - therapeutic use; Female; fibroid; fibroids; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Leiomyoma - drug therapy; Leiomyoma - pathology; Placebos; reproductive; Ultrasonography; Uterine; Uterine Neoplasms - drug therapy; Uterine Neoplasms - pathology; antiproliferative effects; Uterine; fibroid; atorvastatin; fibroids; reproductive
• ISSN: 0951-3590; 1473-0766
• DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2021.1922884

Uterine myomas/fibroids are one of the most common benign tumors of the reproductive system in women. Given pleiotropic effects of statins, the aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic effects of atorvastatin on uterine fibroids in women of reproductive age.
This randomized clinical study included 90 women aged 35-45 years with uterine fibroids. The patients were randomly allocated into the intervention group (received one tablet, 20 mg of atorvastatin every day for three months) and placebo. Ultrasound was performed every month, and the change in the size of fibroids was recorded for each patient. At the end of the study, the data obtained were analyzed using SPSSv22 and a p value < .05 was considered statistically significant.
The mean age in the placebo and intervention group was 39.63 ± 36.3 and 40.35 ± 3.32 years, respectively. The number and location of the tumor was comparable for the two groups. We observed a statically significant reduction in fibroid size from the treatment initiation until completion of three months, (41.06 ± 6.68 mm
3
vs 35.16 ± 6.67 mm
3
) p = .0001. However, the decrease in fibroid size from 1st month to the 3rd month was not statistically significant, p = .189 (36.71 ± 5.54 mm
3
vs 35.16 ± 6.67 mm
3
).
This study shows that treatment with atorvastatin might positively reduce the size of fibroids. The decrease was only statistically significant during the first month. Further studies with a detailed analysis of the intervention's clinical impact are required to consider statins as a therapeutic tool.