Myometrial artery calcifications and aging. Issue 12 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hessler, Sarah C.; Weiss, Gerson; Heller, Debra S.; McGovern, Peter G.; Morelli, Sara S.; Goldsmith, Laura T.
• Is Part Of: Menopause. Volume 22:Issue 12(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Calcifications -- Myometrial artery -- Menopause -- Vascular aging; Menopause -- Periodicals; 618.175005
• DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000475
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1072-3714

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This study aims to determine whether myometrial artery calcifications increase with age and whether uterine sections are an appropriate model for studying vascular aging. Methods: An observational study of 172 women (aged 45 y or older) who underwent hysterectomy for benign indications at the University Hospital (Newark, NJ) between July 1, 2009 and June 1, 2012 was performed. Women with a history of malignancy, undocumented last menstrual period, or unavailable uterine tissue slides were excluded. H&E-stained uterine sections were evaluated for myometrial artery calcifications (defined as the presence of acellular densely basophilic material within the media of vessels) by a single pathologist in a blinded manner. Results: Between July 1, 2009 and June 1, 2012, hysterectomies were performed on 441 women, 172 of whom met inclusion criteria. Seventeen women (9.9%) had myometrial artery calcifications detectable on H&E-stained tissue sections. None of 84 women aged 45 to 49 years, 2 of 51 women (3.9%) aged 50 to 59 years (aged 56 and 58 y), 10 of 27 women (37%) aged 60 to 69 years, and 5 of 10 women (50%) aged 70 to 81 years had myometrial artery calcifications. The prevalence of myometrial artery calcifications significantly increased with advancing age ( P = 0.022). Conclusions: Myometrial artery calcifications increase with advancing age. Histological sections of uterine tissue from hysterectomy specimens seem to be a useful model for evaluating vascular aging markers.