Risk of endometrial polyp and surgical intervention in postmenopausal women with proliferative endometrium

Objective: To study the long-term risks of postmenopausal women with proliferative endometrium developing benign uterine pathologies (endometrial polyps and uterine fibroids) and requiring future gynecological interventions, and to compare them with women with atrophic endometrium. Design: Retrospective cohort study of all women aged 55 or over who underwent endometrial biopsy between 1/1997 and 12/2008. Outcome data were available through to 2/2018. Women with proliferative endometrium were compared with those with atrophic endometrium for the presence of endometrial polyps, uterine fibroids, future endometrial biopsy for recurrent vaginal bleeding, and future hysteroscopy or hysterectomy. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association of endometrial histology and other covariates with the risk of morbidities. Main findings: Postmenopausal women with proliferative endometrium are at higher risk of developing endometrial polyps, uterine fibroids and need for surgical intervention. Of 1808 women who underwent endometrial biopsy during the study period, 962 met inclusion criteria: 278 had proliferative and 684 had atrophic endometrium. Length of surveillance was similar in the two groups (11.9 vs. 11.5 years, p = 0.2). Compared with women with atrophic endometrium, women with proliferative endometrium had significantly higher rates of endometrial polyps (17.3 % vs 9.7 % p = 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression confirmed that women with proliferative endometrium had more fibroids on ultrasound (62.1 % vs 50.3 % 3 = 0.02), and had increased risks of developing endometrial polyps (aOR 1.9, 95 % CI 1.28–3.07, p = 0.002), repeat endometrial biopsy (34.9 % vs. 16.8%p < 0.001) and future hysterectomy or hysteroscopy (26.6 % vs 16.2 % p < 0.001). Conclusions: In addition to the long-term increased risk of cancer, postmenopausal women with proliferative endometrium are more likely to have future bleeding, surgical interventions and diagnosis of endometrial polyps. Medical management to reduce estrogenic activity and associated risks may be considered in these cases.