Cardiovascular risk markers in hypothalamic amenorrhoea

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Cardiovascular Health
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Oestrogen deficiency, common in hypothalamic amenorrhoea (HA), may affect lipid profiles similarly to menopause.
• Menopause is associated with adverse lipid changes, including higher total cholesterol (TC), LDL, triglycerides, and Lp(a), and lower HDL.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare lipid and lipoprotein patterns in women with HA and oestrogen deficiency to those in eumenorrhoeic women.
• To investigate if HA-induced oestrogen deficiency mirrors the cardiovascular risk profile of menopause.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 50 women: 21 with HA and 30 eumenorrhoeic controls.
• Participants were matched for age, BMI, and fat-free mass.
• Key measurements included serum lipid and lipoprotein levels.

Main Results:

• Women with HA exhibited significantly higher HDL levels compared to controls (1.3 vs. 1.1 mmol/l).
• No significant differences were observed in TC, LDL, or triglyceride levels between the HA and control groups.
• In the HA group, low dietary fat intake (<19%) was associated with significantly lower Lp(a) levels (116 mg/l) compared to higher fat intake (>19%) (352 mg/l).

Conclusions:

• Oestrogen deficiency in young women with HA does not elevate TC, LDL, or triglycerides as seen in menopause.
• Increased HDL levels were observed in women with HA.
• Reduced Lp(a) levels in HA were associated with low dietary fat intake, suggesting a modifiable factor in cardiovascular risk.