METABOLIC SYNDROME AND ITS COMPONENTS IN SPANISH POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

this study aimed to estimate prevalence of metabolic syndrome and all its components to know the cardiovascular risk and metabolic control of the main risk factors in postmenopausal women aged over 45 years in the province of Cuenca (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain).

in this cross-sectional study, we randomly selected 716 postmenopausal women from 3,108 women aged over 45. Metabolic syndrome was identified according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition. Cardiovascular risk was calculated by the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation ( < 65 years). The American Diabetes Association´s standards of medical care in diabetes were used to estimate metabolic control. The statistical analysis was done with SPPS.19 RESULTS: prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 61.7% (95%CI: 56.9-66.4). Prevalence of each component was: high blood pressure: 95.8% (95%CI: 95.7-95.8), abdominal obesity: 91% (95%CI: 90.9-91.0), low high-density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDLc) levels: 70% (95%CI: 69.8-69.9), high triglyceride levels: 56.9% (95%CI: 56.4- 56.9), high glucose levels: 54.3% (95%CI: 54.2-54.3). Cardiovascular risk was moderate until 65 years, but was high after this age. Metabolic control in postmenopausal women was very good for glucose, bad for systolic blood pressure and worse for lipid levels. Bad blood pressure control was associated with being over 65 years, being hypertensive and taking treatment for diabetes, but it reduced when being physically limited to do moderate exercise and anxiety increased.

prevalence of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women in the province of Cuenca is the highest in Spain. High blood pressure and abdominal obesity are the commonest components. Cardiovascular risk was moderate-high in postmenopausal women, but systolic blood pressure and lipid profile were unsatisfactorily controlled. Early intervention is necessary to achieve a better risk profile.