Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors Reduce Uterine Fibroid Incidence in Hypertensive Women

Abstract

Context: In vitro and in vivo evidence has supported the role of angiotensin II blockade in reducing leiomyoma cell proliferation and growth. However, no population-based study to date has investigated this potential association.

Objective: This work aims to determine whether prior angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) use is associated with a reduced odds of leiomyoma development.

Design: A nested case-control study was conducted.

Setting: The population was assembled from the Truven Health MarketScan Research Database, which includes private health insurance claims from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2017.

Patients or other participants: We included (n = 353 917) women age 18 to 65 with hypertension. Cases (n = 13 108) with a leiomyoma diagnosis were matched to controls (n = 340 808) with no such diagnosis at a 1:26 ratio by age and region of origin within the United States.

Intervention: Prior ACEi use was determined from outpatient drug claims.

Main outcome measure: Leiomyoma development was indicated by a first-time diagnosis code.

Results: Women on an ACEi experienced a 31.8% reduced odds of developing clinically recognized leiomyoma compared to nonusers (odds ratio [OR] 0.68; 95% CI, 0.65-0.72). This association was significant for each age group: 30 to 39 years (OR 0.86; 95% CI, 0.74-0.99), 40 to 49 years (OR 0.71; 95% CI, 0.66-0.76), 50 to 59 years (OR 0.63; 95% CI, 0.58-0.69), and 60 to 65 years (OR 0.58; 95% CI, 0.50-0.69). Of the ACEis, lisinopril (OR 0.67; 95% CI, 0.64-0.71), quinapril (OR 0.62; 95% CI, 0.41-0.92), and ramipril (OR 0.35; 95% CI, 0.23-0.50) demonstrated a significant association with reduced leiomyoma incidence.

Conclusions: ACEi use was associated with a reduced odds of developing clinically recognized leiomyoma in adult hypertensive women.

Keywords: ACEi; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; fibroids; hypertension; leiomyomas; uterine fibroids.