A £10,000 grant is helping to investigate a potential link between uterine fibroids and blood clots.
The funding, awarded by London Freemasons, will support a pilot research study at King’s College Hospital exploring whether uterine fibroids could increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), a condition involving blood clots in the veins.
The study will focus on women aged 18 to 65, divided into three groups: those without fibroids, those with fibroids, and those scheduled for fibroid removal surgery.
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Dr Obianuju Nzelu, clinical research fellow at the Early Pregnancy and Gynaecology Ultrasound Unit at King’s College Hospital, said: "The grant from London Freemasons will enable us to complete this important pilot study.
"By identifying a novel risk factor for thrombosis in women with uterine fibroids, we hope to inform new guidelines for prevention and management, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing the healthcare burden associated with this condition in London and beyond."
Researchers will collect blood samples to identify pro-thrombotic biomarkers that could indicate an increased risk of blood clots in women with fibroids. The study also aims to determine whether removing fibroids surgically affects these biomarkers.
Dr Nzelu said the funding will cover advanced laboratory testing, personnel costs, patient engagement materials, and dissemination of research findings.
Uterine fibroids are benign growths on the uterus that affect up to 80 per cent of women by menopause and can cause heavy periods, pain, and fertility issues.
Will Clayton, from London Freemasons, said: "We are incredibly proud to support this important research. Uterine fibroids affect millions of women, yet there is still so much we don’t know about their wider impact on health.
"If this funding helps researchers better understand the link between fibroids and blood clots, it has the potential to improve diagnosis, treatment and outcomes for countless women."
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