[Clinico-immuno-hormonal parallels in obese women in the climacteric period]

A total of 178 women of a climacteric age with obesity of various degrees were examined. The time of the menopause onset was found directly related to body mass. A higher incidence of the climacteric syndrome and predominance of its complicated forms were characteristic of obese women, this may be explained by reduced functional activity of the T immunity system. A significant direct correlation between the immune response parameters and thyroid function was revealed, as was a reverse correlation between these two characteristics and blood serum follicle-stimulating hormone, hydrocortisone, and testosterone levels. The authors claim that the clinical picture of the climacteric syndrome is governed by the hormonal status and the immunity parameters, and recommend immunomodulating therapy for such patients.