Association between Age at Natural Menopause with Diabetes and Prediabetes

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported that fasting insulin and blood glucose levels are higher in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women and that insulin resistance was more serious in postmenopausal women. The effects of menopause on glucose metabolism have been well studied, but it is unclear whether age at menopause onset is associated with fasting blood sugar and HbA1c levels. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of menopause age on diabetes and prediabetes.METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2015). The participants were 2,156 naturally menopausal women, except diabetes, stroke, coronary artery disease and cancer patients. The study population was divided into four groups according to the age of natural menopause onset ( < 40, 40–44, 45–55, and ≥56 years). Diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes was based on the American Diabetes Association guideline. The association between menopause age and diabetes or prediabetes was analyzed by multiple logistic regression.RESULTS: Women reaching menopause at 40–44 years were 4.901 times more likely to have diabetes (odds ratio [OR], 4.901; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.353–17.756, P=0.016) than those who reached menopause at an age of ≥56 years. Women with menopause at age < 40 years were 2.839 times more likely to have diabetes or prediabetes (OR, 2.839; 95% CI, 1.012–7.968, P=0.047).CONCLUSION: Women with premature menopause (< 40 years) have high risk of developing diabetes or prediabetes, and women with a menopause age of 40–44 years have high risk of developing diabetes.