Prevalence of hyperprolactinemia and thyroid disorders among patients with abnormal uterine bleeding

To evaluate the prevalence of hyperprolactinemia and thyroid disorders among patients with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) compared with matched controls.

In 2013-2014, an observational study of women with AUB (group A) and women with regular menstruation (group B) was undertaken at one center in Egypt and one in the United Arab Emirates. Eligible women were aged 20-35 years and were not obese. Participants underwent clinical examinations, vaginal ultrasonography, office hysteroscopy (in selected cases), and measurement of hormone levels.

Hyperprolactinemia was present in 17 (16.2%) of 105 patients in group A and 4 (3.2%) of 125 patients in group B (P=0.009). In group A, a high thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level was observed in 8 (7.6%) patients and low levels of free triiodothyronine/thyroxine were found in 5 (4.8%) patients, compared with 2 (1.6%) patients and 1 (0.8%) patient in group B (P=0.012 and P=0.008, respectively). Polymenorrhea was the most frequent presentation of AUB (n=60 [57.1%]). Five (29.4%) patients with hyperprolactinemia had galactorrhea. In group A, 8 (47.1%) patients with a high TSH had hyperprolactinemia, whereas 1 (1.1%) patient with a high TSH had a normal prolactin value (P=0.008).

Screening by evaluating prolactin and thyroid hormone levels is recommended for all patients with AUB, even in the absence of galactorrhea.