[No association between insulin sensitivity and serum lipid levels in postmenopausal women]

It is not clear if changes in serum lipid profile during menopause are related to changes in the distribution of fat or to insulin resistance.

To look for an association between insulin resistance and changes in serum lipid levels in post menopausal women.

Cross-sectional study of 66 early postmenopausal women aged 45 to 55 years. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to hip ratio (WHR), total body adiposity, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBF), mean blood pressure (MBP) and pulse pressure (PP) were measured. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, high-density lipoproteins, triglycerides, glucose and insulin were determined in a fasting blood sample. Insulin sensitivity was calculated using the homeostasis model assessment method (HOMA) and patients were stratified in quartiles according to this parameter.

Patients stratified in the different quartiles of insulin sensitivity were comparable in age and postmenopausal period, but had no differences in serum lipid levels. Compared to women in the lower quartile of insulin resistance, women in the upper quartile had higher BMI (23 and 27 kg/m(2) respectively, p =0.02), SBP (110 and 125 mmHg respectively, p <0.01) and MBP (83 and 93 mmHg respectively, p <0.01). Differences in total body adiposity were observed between the lower, third, and the upper quartile (30%, 35% and 36% respectively, p <0.01).

In this group of early postmenopausal women, no association was observed between the level of insulin sensitivity and serum lipid levels.