Serum lipids and lipoproteins and carotid artery wall intima-media thickness in a population of menopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the influence of aging on serum lipids and lipoproteins in menopausal women and to determine whether arterial hypertension can determine carotid artery wall intima-media thickening in these subjects.


METHODS
We assessed cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and carotid artery wall intima-media thickness in 729 menopausal women aged 40-65 years, divided into four age groups (40-45 years, 46-50 years, 51-55 years, and 56-60 years).


RESULTS
Serum lipids and lipoproteins rose progressively in the different age groups. Carotid wall thickness also increased and was more evident when accompanied by arterial hypertension.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that elevated serum lipids and lipoproteins are interrelated with increased carotid artery wall intima-media thickness. Moreover, they showed the benefits of hormone replacement therapy.
Signorelli
S S
SS
Department of Internal Medicine A. Francaviglia, University of Catania, Italy.
Salvatore
S
S
Luigi
D
D
Pia
C M
CM
Giuseppe
P
P
Sarina
C
C
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002784:Cholesterol