A retrospective analysis of recurrence risk factors for granulomatous lobular mastitis in 130 patients: more attention should be paied to prolactin level.

BACKGROUND: Granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM) is a benign chronic inflammatory breast disease with indecisive etiology and easy recurrence, and seriously affects physical and mental health of women. This study aims to discover the factors associated with the recurrence of GLM and provide some new thoughts for the treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively collected clinical data of GLM patients from January 2010 to June 2019. Patients were divided into no recurrence group (group A) and recurrence group (group B). Demographic data and clinical features were compared in two groups. RESULTS: There were 103 (79.23%) patients in group A and 27 (20.77%) in group B. In univariate analysis, body mass index (BMI), the difference of prolactin (PRL) level before and after treatment and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)/luteinizing hormone (LH) were associated with the recurrence of GLM. Moreover, the difference of PRL level before and after treatment was the independent risk factor of recurrence and patients presenting with higher PRL after treatment than before treatment had a higher risk of recurrence [odds ratio (OR) 21.405, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.702-269.233, P=0.018]. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity or overweight and FSH/LH had association with GLM recurrence, and the difference of PRL level before and after treatment is the independent risk factor of recurrence. Clinical examination of hormone levels especially the PRL level should not be ignored during and even after the treatment of GLM.