Study of Environment, Lifestyle & Fibroids (SELF)
Epidemiology Branch
The goal of the Study of Environment, Lifestyle and Fibroids (SELF) is to identify risk factors for uterine fibroid development. It is the first study to determine incident cases based on ultrasound screening. We are enrolling a cohort of 1600 African-American women, ages 23-34, from the Detroit, Michigan area. Women with a prior diagnosis of fibroids are not eligible. Participants will be screened for fibroids with ultrasound at enrollment and approximately every 15 months thereafter to identify new fibroids. Fibroids that are detected at enrollment and during follow-up will be monitored at subsequent visits for fibroid growth. We collect risk factor and symptom data, physical measurements as well as blood, urine, and vaginal swab specimens at each visit.
The study is designed to test three primary hypotheses:
- Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for fibroid incidence.
- Reproductive tract infection is a risk factor for fibroid incidence.
- A higher proportion of African ancestry is a risk factor for fibroid incidence.
In addition to testing the hypotheses, we collect a broad spectrum of information, including data on recognized risk factors, data on common exposures with inconsistent risk estimates in the literature, exposures of interest for which there is very limited literature, and detailed symptom data.
In summary, this first prospective study of fibroid incidence tests important hypotheses regarding fibroid etiology. Our extra blood and urine specimens will be stored so that new hypotheses can be tested in the future. Our goal is to discover new strategies for prevention and suggest new approaches for treatment.
Principal Investigators
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Donna D. Baird, Ph.D. (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/labs/epi/women/index.cfm)
Principal Investigator, Epidemiology -
Tel (919) 541-2786
Fax (919) 541-2511
baird@niehs.nih.gov
