CARDIOMETABOLIC STATUS OF MENOPAUSAL WOMEN IN NKWELLE-EZUNAKA, ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

Background: Menopause results from ovarian aging or ovarectomy and is accompanied by hormonal and metabolic changes that contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD), a leading cause of mortality.

Aim of study: To assess the cardiometabolic status of menopausal women in Nkwelle-Ezunaka using Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Hip Ratio (WHR), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C), High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C), Insulin Resistance, Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) and Fasting Insulin (FI).

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved ninety females (45 menopausal, and 45 premenopausal) recruited by simple random sampling technique. Blood pressure was measured using the auscultatory method, BMI calculated using weight and height measurements, while WHR was obtained using waist and hip circumference measurements. Levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, IR, FPG and FI were determined spectrophotometrically using standard methods. Independent t-test was used for the statistical analysis of data.

Results: A significantly higher mean values of BP, WHR, TC, TG and LDL-C (p˂ 0.05) and lower mean values of FI (6.80 ± 4.46) and IR (1.49 ± 1.15) were observed in menopausal women compared to premenopausal women (12.90 ± 15.33) (3.95 ± 5.45) with p˂0.05 in both cases. No significant differences were found in the mean values of BMI, HDL-C and FPG in menopausal women compared with the premenopausal women (p> 0.05).

Conclusion: Waist Hip Ratio, Diastolic Blood Pressure, Systolic Blood Pressure, Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, may be better indicators of unhealthy cardio[1]metabolic status than Body Mass Index, High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Fasting Plasma Glucose. Menopausal women appear to be more predisposed to cardiovascular disease than the premenopausal women.