Socio-demographic and reproductive correlates of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional analysis of the Dena cohort

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major cardiometabolic disorder in postmenopausal women and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. However, evidence on reproductive and clinical determinants of MetS in Iranian postmenopausal populations remains limited. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of MetS and its associated factors among postmenopausal women in the Dena cohort. This cross-sectional analysis was conducted using baseline data from the Dena cohort study, a subset of the PERSIAN Cohort. A total of 716 naturally postmenopausal women were included. MetS was defined according to the modified ATP III criteria. Associations were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. The mean age of participants was 58.56 ± 6.5.12 years, and the prevalence of MetS was 51.0%. Abdominal obesity was the most prevalent component (83.1%). In multivariable analysis, a history of pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.20–5.55; P = 0.015) and use of hormonal therapy (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.07–2.76; P = 0.025) were independently associated with higher odds of MetS. MetS was highly prevalent among postmenopausal women in this population, with abdominal obesity being the most common component. A history of pregnancy-induced hypertension and hormone therapy use were independently associated with MetS.