Are Changes in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Midlife Women Due to Chronological Aging or to the Menopausal Transition?
Key result
Menopausal transition is linked to substantial lipid surges independent of chronological aging.
- n=1,054
Why the study?
Are changes in cardiovascular disease risk factors in midlife women due to chronological aging or to the menopausal transition?
Population
1,054 multi-ethnic women who achieved a final menstrual period not due to surgery and without hormone…
Comparison
Menopausal transition. vs Chronological aging.
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
10 annual exams
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
Women experience a unique, menopause-induced rise in atherogenic lipids (total cholesterol, LDL-C, apo-B) around the time of their final menstrual period, independent of chronological aging.
Key Points
- This study aims to determine whether changes in coronary heart disease risk factors in midlife women are due to chronological aging or the menopausal transition.
- Prospective study within the Study of Women’s Health across the Nation (SWAN) involving 3302 women.
- Examined risk factors like lipids, glucose, and blood pressure before and after the final menstrual period (FMP).
- Compared linear and piece-wise linear models to assess risk factor changes associated with aging and menopause.
- Only total cholesterol, LDL-C, and apolipoprotein-B showed significant increases during the 1-year interval around FMP.
- Changes in other risk factors aligned with a linear model, indicating effects of chronological aging.
- Findings were consistent across different ethnic groups, highlighting the importance of monitoring lipid levels.
Study Design
Type
Cohort (n=1,054)
Structured PICO
Are changes in cardiovascular disease risk factors in midlife women due to chronological aging or to the menopausal transition?
P
Population
1,054 multi-ethnic women who achieved a natural final menstrual period without prior hormone therapy use, followed with 10 annual exams to assess changes in coronary heart disease risk factors.
E
Exposure
Menopausal transition (1-year interval before and after the final menstrual period).
C
Comparator
Chronological aging (time periods outside the 1-year perimenopausal interval).
O
Outcome
Changes in coronary heart disease risk factors including lipids, lipoproteins, glucose, insulin, blood pressure, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein.surrogate
Women experience a unique, menopause-induced rise in atherogenic lipids (total cholesterol, LDL-C, apo-B) around the time of their final menstrual period, independent of chronological aging.
Cite This Study
Matthews et al. (2009) conducted a cohort in Coronary heart disease risk factors during menopausal transition (n=1,054). Menopausal transition (1-year interval around final menstrual period) vs. Chronological aging (linear model) was evaluated on Changes in CHD risk factors (lipids, lipoproteins, glucose, insulin, blood pressure, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein). The 1-year interval around the final menstrual period was associated with substantial increases in total cholesterol, LDL-C, and apolipoprotein-B, whereas other risk factors tracked with chronological aging.