Boston, MA ndash; researchers at Brigham and Womenrsquo; s Hospital (BWH) and colleagues have identified a genetic variant that indicates a predisposition to develop uterine leiomyomas, better known as uterine fibroids. Hmga2 The gene has recently been associated with variation in human height, and the new research linking increased transmission of allele TC227 in Hmga2, with a predisposition for fibroids in white women with smaller stature. The results appear in an advance online publication of Human Genetics. br ldquo; This indicator could result from genetic information after further research to be valuable to women making decisions about medical treatment of fibroids, rdquo;, said Cynthia Morton, PhD, lead study author and director of cytogenetics in the BWH. ldquo; A woman with symptomatic fibroids might one day be subjected to tests for determining whether TC227 allele shersquo; s genetically predisposed to develop additional fibroids.rdquo; br Dr. Morton explained that with this information, a woman who has the TC227 allele could decide to opt for a hysterectomy, and not only the removal of fibroids, to avoid the probable need for additional re fibroids removed in the future. ldquo; On the other hand, a woman with fibroids who do not have the allele TC227 could decide to simply remove the fibroids instead of having a hysterectomy.rdquo; br The researchers analyzed DNA of 248 pairs of sisters affected by fibroids and their families, and found that women who are TC227positive were predisposed to the development of fibroids compared to women without the allele TC277. A link between the TC227 allele and decrease in height was also established, which leads to researchersrsquo; hypothesis that the decrease in height would be consistent with early menarche, and its known risk for developing fibroids. br The research looked specifically at white women due to low allele frequency in African American women TC227. ldquo; We believe there are several genetic markers for fibroids in addition to the TC227 allele in white women, including genetic risk alleles special bias in the black women who have an earlier age of onset and more severe fibroid symptoms, rdquo;, said Dr.. Morton. br Brigham and Women # 39; s Hospital (BWH) is a 777member nonprofit bed teaching at Harvard Medical School and a founding member of Partners HealthCare, an integrated health care delivery. In July 2008, the hospital opened the J. Carl and Ruth Shapiro Cardiovascular Center, the most advanced center of its kind. BWH is committed to excellence in patient care with expertise in virtually every specialty of medicine and surgery. The BWH medical preeminence dates back to 1832, and today that rich history in clinical care is complemented by its national leadership in efforts to improve quality and patient safety and dedication to education and training of the next generation of health professionals. Through investigation and discovery conducted at its Biomedical Research Institute (BRI), BWH is an international leader in basic, clinical and translational human diseases, with more than 860 medical researchers and renowned biomedical scientists and teachers the support of more than $ 416 M in funding. BWH is also home to large epidemiological studies of historical population, including nurses and doctors Health # 39; Studies and Women # 39; s Health Initiative. For more information about BWH, please visit www.brighamandwomens.org. br br
