Changes in lipid profile of postmenopausal women

The study reveals that menopause leads to changes in hormonal status, metabolism and lipid profile. Since there is an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases for women after menopause, the present study is aimed at comparing the changes of serum lipid profile in premenopausal women with that of their postmenopausal counterparts. This is to enable us ascertain the relative risk of developing cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women in Bangladesh. One hundred and eighteen (118) apparently healthy females (59 premenopausal = control and 59 postmenopausal = case) were selected for the study. The case-control cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Mymensingh Medical College in cooperation with the Department of Gynaecology, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital and Community Based Medical College, Bangladesh during the period from January 2009 to December 2009. Data were collected through clinical evaluation from pre selected questionnaires and fasting blood samples were taken for laboratory investigations. Serum total cholesterol and their sub fractions- high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and triglycerides (TG) were measured by autoanalyzer using enzymatic and established mathematical methods. Statistical significance of difference between two groups were evaluated by using unpaired 't' test with the help of SPSS software package. The results showed statistically significant increase in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (p<0.001) of menopausal women compared to reproductive age group. The postmenopausal women had higher but non-significant (p=0.675) concentrations of triglycerides than the premenopausal women with regular menstruation. However, a significant reduction of HDL was present in the postmenopausal group (p<0.001) than the premenopausal group. Therefore, it can be concluded that menopause leads to changes in lipid profile by increasing total and LDL cholesterol and by reducing HDL cholesterol. The elevated LDL and the reduction of cardio protective HDL is an indication that menopause is an independent risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease in Bangladesh.