[Gaining weight and components of metabolic syndrome in the period of menopause].

Introduction: Menopause induces redistribution of fat mass and development of abdominal obesity, increasing risk for metabolic syndrome (MS) by 60%. Related cardiovascular diseases become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women after fifty years of age.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of gaining weight on components of MS in the menopause.

Method: The study included 50 obese women, BMI=31.92 +/- 5.83 kg/m2, age 54.40 +/- 3.64, time since menopause 5.90 +/- 5.46 years, and 37 normal weight women, BMI = 23.50 +/- 2.13 kg/m2, age 53.92 +/- 3.95, time since menopause 5.96 +/- 4.92 years. Both groups were divided according to the presence of MS into two subgroups. Anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure were measured. Blood was taken at 8 am for the following: fasting glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, apolipoprotein A (ApoA), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, FSH, LH, prolactin, oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).

Results: 66% of obese women had MS compared with 22% normal weight women. Significant differences between groups were found for the following: weight, BMI, waist, hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, diastolic blood pressure, Lp(a), FSH, LH, prolactin (all p < 0.01) and fasting glucose (p < 0.05). Obese women with and without MS were significantly diverse for the following: waist/hip ratio, systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose (all p < 0.01); age, BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL, Lp(a) and SHBG (all p < 0.05). Normal weight women with and without MS had significantly different values of waist/hip ratio, systolic, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides (all p < 0.01); HDL and testosterone (p < 0.05). Significant differences were found between obese and normal weight women with MS in anthropometric characteristics, ApoA, Lp(a), fibrinogen (all p < 0.01) and FSH (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Abdominal obesity significantly increases incidence of MS as a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors in the menopause.