Influence of duration of menopause, anthropometric and hormonal parameters on metabolic syndrome

Hypoestrogenic status in the menopausal women shows a shift to a central android fat distribution and metabolic syndrome (MIS). Related metabolic changes and hypertension increase the risk for cardiovascular (CV) diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of duration of menopause, anthropometric and hormonal parameters on metabolic syndrome. 50 obese women were examined with BMI = 31.92 = 5.83 kg/m2, age 54.40 +/- 3.64, time since menopause 5.90 +/- 5.46 years. Control group consisted of 37 normal weight women with BMI = 23.50 +/- 2.13 kg/m2, age 53.92 +/- 3.95, time since menopause 5.96 +/- 4.92 years. Anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure were measured. Blood was taken at 8 am for: fasting glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, apolipoprotein A (ApoA), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, FSH, LH, prolactin, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). In obese women significant negative correlations were found for: BMI anid HDL (p < 0.05), waist and HDL (p < 0.05), FSII and systolic blood pressure (p < 0.01), FSH and fasting glucose (p < 0.05), LH and waist (p < 0.05), SHBG and fasting glucose (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was found for time since menopause and waist/hip ratio (p < 0.05). In controls positive correlations were found for: waist/hip ratio and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05), LH and HDL (p < 0.05). estradiol and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05). Negative correlations were detected for estradiol and waist (p < 0.05), time since menopause and HDL (p < 0.05). Gaining weight together with menopausal endocrine changes cause metabolic and hemodynamic imbalances, which contribute to risk for cardiovascular diseases.