Predisposing Factors for Granulomatous Lobular Mastitis: A Case-Control Study.

Area of Science:

• Medical Science
• Oncology
• Gynecology

Background:

• Granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM) is a rare inflammatory breast condition with increasing incidence.
• Etiologic and predisposing factors for GLM remain incompletely understood, hindering effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and identify predisposing factors associated with granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM).

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 594 GLM patients and 594 matched controls was conducted from 2018 to 2021.
• Demographic data and 75 potential risk factors were collected via questionnaire.
• Univariate and multivariable binary conditional logistic regression analyses were employed to identify significant factors.

Main Results:

• Six relevant factors for GLM included age, marriage status, emotional abnormality, high prolactin, psychiatric drug intake, and sex hormone intake.
• Independent high-risk factors identified were gestation, nipple invagination, blunt trauma, non-iatrogenic massage, lactation disorder, and nipple discharge (OR > 1.6).
• Menopause emerged as an independent protective factor (OR=0.249).

Conclusions:

• Factors promoting milk and secretion production, particularly with nipple invagination, are primary GLM risk factors, potentially causing duct obstruction and inflammation.
• Hormonal disorders, external trauma, and emotional abnormalities are identified as contributing factors to GLM occurrence.
• Understanding these risk factors is crucial for developing targeted clinical interventions and preventive measures for GLM.