PREVALENCE OF METABOLIC SYNDROME IN PREMENOPAUSAL AND POST-MENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Abstract

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome is an emerging public health problem in South-Asia especially India. The present study was undertaken to estimate the proportion of metabolic syndrome among pre- and post-menopausal females, and compare the prevalence between the two groups.
Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was undertaken among the 100 premenopausal women and 100 post-menopausal women attending the outpatient Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Women were investigated for fasting blood sugar, and
lipid profile which included, serum low density lipoprotein, serum very low-density lipoprotein, serum total cholesterol, serum triglyceride (after overnight or 10-12 hours of fasting). The primary outcome was proportion of metabolic syndrome among premenopausal and post-menopausal women, and secondary outcome was comparison of prevalence of metabolic syndrome between pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women
Results: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome has been estimated as 18% among premenopausal women and 47% among post menopausal women. Significantly higher proportion of post-menopausal women had metabolic syndrome than the pre-menopausal
women. All the components of NCEP ATP III criteria were significantly higher and associated with post-menopausal status (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Menopause might be a significant predictor for the metabolic syndrome. Prospective cohort studies assessing peri menopausal and post-menopausal women for metabolic syndrome prevalence needs to be undertaken to confirm our findings.