The Association between Oligomenorrhea, Onset of Menopause and Metabolic Syndrome in Thai Postmenopausal Women

OBJECTIVES: This study explored the association between a history of oligomenorrhea and onset of menopause and metabolic parameters. METHODS: The study population was 605 postmenopausal women who were patients at the Menopause Clinic, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand between February 2015 and December 2015. A questionnaire was used to ask all women about their history of oligomenorrhea. The study also collected medical data, including weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, and blood glucose and lipid profile. RESULTS: Of the 231 postmenopausal women with a complete data record, 31 had a history of oligomenorrhea and 200 did not. The age of onset of menopause was around 48 years in both groups. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 12.1%. More women with a waist circumference larger than 80 cm had a history of oligomenorrhea at the interview than women who had not, but a history of oligomenorrhea did not relate to other metabolic parameters. The adjusted odds ratio of a history of oligomenorrhea to waist circumference was 3.69 (95% confidence interval, 1.17–11.64). CONCLUSIONS: A history of oligomenorrhea did not affect the age at menopause, but was associated with waist circumference during menopause.

ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS OF OSTEOPOROSIS IN THAI MENOPAUSAL WOMEN AT THE MENOPAUSE CLINIC, MAHARAJ NAKORN CHIANG MAI HOSPITAL

Background: Osteoporosis is an important health and public health problem, especially among older women. Osteoporosis fracture can be prevented if risks are assessed and detected early. In addition, there are many factors associated with and promoting osteoporosis, such as an individual’s behavior and lifestyle towards their health. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of risks factors associated with osteoporosis in menopausal women. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out from January 2005 to June 2006. Menopausal women aged up to 40 years, who first visited the menopause clinic, were interviewed by using questionnaires. Risk factors were assessed using the osteoporosis prescreening risk assessment tool: OPERA. Twenty items were prioritized into a content validity index. Results: A total of 219 subjects included 81 perimenopausal and 138 postmenopausal women, with their ages being 49.8±3.3 years and 55.1±7.0 years (mean ± SD), respectively. The highly prevalent risk factors in the two groups were: 1) weight \< 57 kg [66.7% and 71.0%, respectively], 2) no hormonal substitution treatment [74.1% and 61.6%, respectively], 3) osteoporosis in the family [19.0% and 26.7%, respectively], 4) lack of calcium in dietary intake [61.3% and 63.8% respectively], 5) no physical activity [66.7% and 61.3%, respectively], and 6) fewer frequent falls in the perimenopausal group than the post menopausal group [4.9% vs. 11.6%], while caffeine intake was higher [40.7% vs. 27.5%]. In the postmenopausal group, a decrease in height (1.12+1.70 cm) was statistically greater than that in the perimenopausal group (0.52 + 0.82 cm) (p \< 0.01). Conclusion: In both groups, lower weight, lack of calcium in dietary intake and no regular physical activity were high in prevalence. Changes in behavior and lifestyle should be encouraged for better well-being and health. In postmenopausal women, care to prevent falling should be emphasized in order to avoid getting fractures.