Low levels of PAPP-A concentrations in first trimester linked to development of Fibroids

Reliable aneuploidy risk estimation in the first trimester is prominently interconnected with the accurate assessment of maternal serum biomarkers. Some maternal factors like insulin-dependent diabetes, weight, and rhesus status are known to alter levels of these biomarkers. Adjustment of biomarker values for specific factors is crucial to avoid excessive invasive procedures or missed diagnoses. We aimed to investigate the effects of noncavity distorting intramural uterine fibroids on first-trimester aneuploidy screening test maternal serum biomarkers.

Pregnant women who underwent a first-trimester aneuploidy screening test in a single tertiary centre between 2011 and 2020 were retrospectively assessed. One hundred ninety-eight women were found to have at least one noncavity distorting intramural uterine leiomyoma (Figo type 3–6) of at least 2 cm diameter and the remaining women were assigned as controls. First-trimester aneuploidy screening test parameters were compared.

Results:

Pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) MoMs were found significantly lower in leiomyoma group in comparison to control group (1.19 ± 0.60 MoM vs. 1.40 ± 0.73 MoM, p = 0.002). PAPP-A MoMs in women with leiomyomas larger than 5.5 cm were significantly lower in comparison to both control group and women with ≤5.5 cm leiomyomas (0.82 ± 0.376 vs. 1.40 ± 0.73, p < 0.001; 0.82 ± 0.376 vs. 1.33 ± 0.61 p < 0.001, respectively). PAPP-A MoM and size of leiomyoma were found inversely correlated when fibroid size exceeds 5.5 cm (r = −0.467, p < 0.001).

Thus, Noncavity distorting intramural uterine leiomyomas >5.5 cm are associated with low first trimester PAPP-A MoMs (<0.5). PAPP-A concentrations are inversely correlated with fibroid size in women with >5.5 cm intramural uterine leiomyomas. Fibroids ≤5.5 cm are not associated with alterations in first trimester aneuploidy screening test parameters.

Reference:

Low first-trimester maternal serum PAPP-A concentrations in women with non-cavity-distorting intramural uterine fibroids by Alper Kahraman et al. published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research.

https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.15188