Serum oestrogen, progesterone and prolactin profiling in mastalgia at Mulago Hospital Breast Clinic

Abstract

Background/Introduction: Approximately 60% to 70% of women experience some degree of breast pain at some stage of their lives. In Mulago Hospital, a cross sectional study conducted in 2005 on patients attending the breast clinic puts the overall prevalence of Mastalgia at 16.03%. In Africa, especially Uganda; information regarding the hormone profile in mastalgia patients was lacking as such studies were yet to be documented. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of progesterone, estrogen and Prolactin and establish relationships between hormone levels and severity of symptoms in patients with mastalgia. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study that was conducted in Mulago hospital breast clinic. A minimum number of 60 women with the diagnosis of mastalgia were studied using standardized questionnaires, and blood sample from each of these women were taken for specific assay of estrogen, progesterone and Prolactin in Mulago hospital central laboratory. The results were then subjected to statistical analysis using STATA V13. Results: A majority of the patients had normal levels of Estrogen, Progesterone and Prolactin; 38 (57.58%), 31 (46.97%), and 42 (63.64%) respectively. The proportion of patients who had severe mastalgia, with elevated levels of estrogen, progesterone and Prolactin were 34.48% (n=10, OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.19-5.15, p value= 0.194), 37.93% (n= 11, OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.24-4.23, p value= 0.983), and 27.59% (n= 8, OR 1.60, 95% CI 0.23-11.08, p value= 0.634) respectively. Conclusion: Most patients (50%) were aged less than 60 years, peak age between 20 and 30 years. No significant statistical relationship observed between hormone level and mastalgia severity (Estrogen p value= 0.194, Progesterone p value= 0.983, and Prolactin p value= 0.634).