Correlation Analysis of Estrogen Levels and Psychological Status Among Patients with Uterine Fibroids

This study aims to investigate the correlation between estrogen levels and psychological distress, focusing on depression and anxiety symptoms among patients diagnosed with uterine fibroids.

The study employed a retrospective design and enrolled a cohort comprising 50 patients diagnosed with uterine fibroids and 50 healthy individuals as controls. Serum estradiol levels were quantified using a chemiluminescent immunoassay technique one month before surgery in the patient group. Depression and anxiety levels were evaluated using the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), respectively.

Significant differences in SDS scores, SAS scores, and serum estradiol levels emerged between the patient and control groups (P < .05). Patients exhibited higher SDS and SAS scores alongside elevated serum estradiol levels. Correlation analysis unveiled a negative association between SAS scores and estrogen levels among patients (r = -0.724, P = .013), suggesting a rise in anxiety levels with declining estrogen levels. Similarly, a negative correlation surfaced between SDS scores and estrogen levels among patients (r = -0.624, P = .016), indicating increased depressive symptoms as estrogen levels decrease. Conversely, no noteworthy correlations were demonstrated between anxiety or depressive symptoms and estrogen levels in the control group.

Reduced estrogen levels were linked to heightened anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients with uterine fibroids. These findings suggest a plausible connection between estrogen hormone levels and psychological well-being, particularly concerning anxiety and depression. Further exploration of this association is warranted to shed light on potential therapeutic interventions targeting hormonal regulation to improve psychological distress in affected individuals.