ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and connection with hormonal changes of metabolic syndrome and its components in postmenopausal women based on a literature survey.

The medical records of 138 postmenopausal patients were retrospectively reviewed between January 2013 and March 2014. Patients with surgical menopause and those who underwent hormone replacement therapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy were excluded. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Patients’ demographic data, menopausal status, medical history, and physical examination and clinical laboratory data were analyzed. Data were evaluated statistically.

In total, 128 patients were included in this study. The menopausal age of patients in the metabolic syndrome group was 50.06±2.93 and that in the non-metabolic syndrome group was 45.16±4.4 years. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was observed in 43.4% patients in this study. A statistically significant negative high correlation (p<0.05) was observed between waist circumference and the number of metabolic components with FSH-LH levels.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among postmenopausal women is high, and abdominal obesity and low HDL levels are strong predictors. These components can lead to an increase in cardiovascular diseases. Thus, it is encouraging to adopt lifestyle changes that reduce the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. (JAREM 2016; 6: 35-9)

Keywords: Metabolic syndrome, postmenopause, waist circumference, FSH