Correlation of Kupperman's index with estrogen and androgen levels, according to weight and body fat distribution in postmenopausal women from Mexico City.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the differences in Kupperman's index (KI) and hormone levels according to weight and body fat distribution in postmenopausal women, since obesity and fat distribution affect hormone levels.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty-five postmenopausal women were studied and divided according to body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR): normal weight (BMI < or = 27), obesity (BMI > 27); lower-level body fat distribution (WHR < or = 0.85) and upper-level body fat distribution (WHR >0.85). Afterwards four subgroups were created: (I) BMI < or = 27 and WHR < or = 0.85, (II) BMI < or = 27 and WHR > 0.85, (III) BMI > 27 and WHR < or = 0.85, and (IV) BMI >27 and WHR > 0.85. Climacteric symptoms were analyzed with Kupperman's index. Estrone, estradiol, testosterone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate determinations were done by radioimmunoassay and verified by chemoluminescence. The androstenedione-estrone and testosterone-estradiol ratios were calculated. Statistical analysis was by Student's t test for independent samples, plus Pearson's correlation analysis.


RESULTS
Average age was 53.0 +/- 6.5 years, time since menopause 74.2 +/- 64.3 months. When comparing those with lower-level body fat distribution and those with upper-level body fat distribution, the A levels were significantly lower (P < 0.04) in those with upper-level distribution. Kupperman's index was significantly lower in subgroup I when compared with subgroups III and IV. The androstenedione level was lower in subgroup IV compared with subgroup III. In the whole sample, there was a correlation of the WHR with testosterone (0.297, P < .004) and the testosterone-estradiol ratio (0.209, P < .04).


CONCLUSIONS
It was shown that the testosterone-estradiol ratio has a better correlation with the symptoms, so it can be used to evaluate climacteric patients when they complain of menopausal symptoms.
Carranza-Lira
Sebastián
S
Gynecologic Endocrinology Department, Hospital de Ginecología y Obstetricia Luis Castelazo Ayala, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico D.F. scarranzal@mexis.com
Velasco Díaz
Guillermina
G
Olivares
Aleida
A
Chán Verdugo
Rosario
R
Herrera
Joaquín
J
D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000032:analysis; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood*; D004970:Estrone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000378:metabolism*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens; D004970:Estrone; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D004958:Estradiol; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate