Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the correlates of abnormal hysteroscopy among infertile women seen in 2 new Fertility/ Gynaecological Endoscopy units in Nigeria. Data was collected on biosocial and clinical characteristics of the patients as well as the findings at hysteroscopy and was analyzed with STATA software, version 12.0 SE (Stata Corporation, TX, USA) for the correlates of abnormal hysteroscopy using the Pearson’s chi square test. P- value of less than 0.05  at a confidence interval of 95% was taken as significant. One hundred and twelve (70.4%) out of 159 women had abnormal findings at hysteroscopy. The mean age of the women was 36.6 ± 6.2 years. The uterine lesions found on hysteroscopy were mainly intrauterine adhesions (47.8%), endometrial polyps (17.6%), submucous fibroids (11.9%) and mullerian duct abnormalities (10.7%). Abnormal hysteroscopy was significantly associated with secondary infertility (X²=5.4; p=0.02), duration of infertility more than 2 years (X²=16.5; p<0.001), menstrual abnormalities (X²=4.6; p=0.03), secondary dysmenorrhea (X²=4.9; p=0.03) and abnormal hysterosalpingogram findings (X²=5.0; p=0.03). There was no significant relationship of abnormal hysteroscopy with pelvic ultrasound findings (X²=1.82; p=0.18). Abnormal hysteroscopy was significantly associated with secondary infertility, menstrual abnormalities, secondary dysmenorrhea and abnormal HSG findings. Therefore, diagnostic hysteroscopy is strongly recommended in these classes of women.

Key word:  Clinical, correlates, abnormal hysteroscopy, infertile women, Nigeria, Nnewi.