Correlation of Menopause with Lipid Profile: A Study at World College of Medical Sciences and Research, Jhajjar, Haryana

Abstract

Background: Menopause induces hormonal changes, including decreased estrogen levels, which can impact lipid metabolism and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases in women. Objective: This comparative observational study aimed to assess the correlation between menopause and lipid profiles in women aged 35-65 years attending the General Health Check-up OPD at World College of Medical Sciences and Research in Jhajjar, Haryana, India, from January 2020 to December 2022. Methods: A total of 252 apparently healthy women, divided into premenopausal (n=126) and postmenopausal (n=126) groups, were included. Lipid profiles, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), were measured. Data were statistically analyzed using an independent t-test with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: In the study of 126 postmenopausal women, mean lipid profiles demonstrated notable values: total cholesterol (TC) at 191.59±35.78 mg/dl, triglycerides (TG) at 143.44±72.39 mg/dl, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) at 45.01±9.99 mg/dl, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) at 116.43±31.79 mg/dl, and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) at 28.69±14.48 mg/dl. Among 128 premenopausal women, mean lipid profiles were: TC 164±35.03 mg/dl, TG 125.52±65.84 mg/dl, HDL-C 41.66±7.66 mg/dl, LDL-C 96.95±31.78 mg/dl, and VLDL-C 25.10±13.17 mg/dl. Postmenopausal women exhibited significantly higher TC, TGs, LDL-C, and VLDL-C, alongside elevated cardiac risk ratios (TC/HDL and LDL/HDL), compared to premenopausal women Postmenopausal women displayed significantly higher mean levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and VLDL-C compared to premenopausal women. Additionally, cardiac risk ratios, TC/HDL and LDL/HDL, were elevated in the postmenopausal group. Surprisingly, HDL-C levels were also significantly higher in postmenopausal women. Conclusions: Menopause is associated with unfavorable alterations in lipid profiles, including increased TC, TG, LDL-C, and VLDL-C, along with elevated cardiac risk ratios. However, HDL-C levels were unexpectedly higher in postmenopausal women. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring lipid profiles during the menopausal transition to address cardiovascular health concerns effectively.