Factors associated with endometrial thickness and uterine size in a randomsample of postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate factors possibly associated with endometrial thickness and uterine size in a random sample o f postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: A random sample (n = 1000) of the total population of women 4 5 to 80 years of age, resident in the city of Goteborg, was invited to atte nd for a transvaginal sonography examination, Eight hundred twenty-seven wo men accepted the invitation arid underwent a gynecologic and a transvaginal sonography examination with measurement of endometrial thickness and uteri ne size. The women's weight and height were measured and a blood sample for analysis of serum estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone was taken. Th e women also provided information regarding previous medical and gynecologi c history, possible medication, and smoking habits. RESULTS: Five hundred fifty-nine women were postmenopausal, and 183 (33%) o f the postmenopausal women were taking some form of hormonal substitution. Factors associated with endometrial thickness and uterine size were analyze d by means of univariate and stepwise multiple regression analyses. The cur rent use of hormone replacement therapy was the most important factor assoc iated with both endometrial thickness and all the uterine size parameters s tudied. The presence of fibroids was also associated with endometrial thick ness. Other factors shown to be associated with uterine size were age, pari ty, smoking, hypertension, and the presence of diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: Several of the known risk factors for endometrial cancer were shown to be associated with endometrial thickness and uterine size paramete rs.