Effects of age at menopause on serum cholesterol, body mass index, and blood pressure

Pre- and postmenopausal cholesterol (mg/dl), body mass index (BMI: kg/m(2)), and systolic blood pressure (SBP; mmHg) levels were compared in three age-at-time-of-menopause (ATM) groups to examine the relationship between the three risk factors and age ATM. Cholesterol, BMI, and SEP levels recorded 4 years prior to and 8 years after menopause were examined and increases in these risk factors between the two measurements were noted. The three age groups were: group A (n = 49, age ATM [44 +/- 1] < 45), group B (n = 395; 45 age ATM [48 +/- 1] < 50). and group C (n = 578; age ATM [52 2] greater than or equal to 50). Cholesterol levels in premenopausal groups A (169 +/- 31 mg/dl, 40 years) and B (174 +/- 31, 44 years) were lower than those in group C (179 +/- 30, 48 years) (0.05 less than or equal to P < 0.1 and P < 0.05). Because, the increases in cholesterol were greater in group A (41 +/- 28 mg/dl) than in groups B (32 +/- 28) and C (29 +/- 28) (0.05 less than or equal to P < 0.1 and P < 0.05). cholesterol levels were identical among groups despite age differences upon reaching the postmenopause phase: group A (210 +/- 34, 51 years), group B (206 +/- 35, 56 years) and group C (208 +/- 35, 60 years). BMI and SEP increases were not different in groups A, B, and C. Differences in BMI and SEP levels among groups in order of premenopausal age were still observed after menopause. These data suggest that the greater increase in cholesterol associated with early menopause may be related to a higher prevalence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in younger menopausal women. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.