The metabolic syndrome among postmenopausal women in Ecuador.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome increases with age and after the onset of menopause, and may explain in part the apparent acceleration of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and related risk determinants among postmenopausal women in Ecuador.


METHODS
Postmenopausal women >or=40 years of age, non-users of hormone therapy and with an intact uterus, were asked to participate in a metabolic syndrome screening and educational program at the Institute of Biomedicine of the Universidad Católica of Guayaquil, Ecuador. Sociodemographic data, waist circumference and blood pressure measurements were recorded, and a fasting blood sample obtained for serum glucose and lipid profile determinations. Woman were counseled and managed according to the results. Metabolic syndrome was defined in accordance with the criteria of the Third Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III).


RESULTS
Three hundred and twenty-five postmenopausal women entered the program. Mean (+/-standard deviation) age was 55.9 +/- 8.1 years, 53.5% of them were aged >or=54 years (median). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome, according to ATP III criteria, was 41.5%. Using the same criteria, 38.8%, 16.6%, 56.9% and 54.2% of the women presented with hypertension, diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia and abdominal obesity, respectively. More than 40% of women determined to have hypertension or diabetes lacked knowing so. Logistic regression analysis determined that age increased the risk of presenting hypertension and diabetes (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 2.0 (1.2-3.2) and 1.6 (0.9-3.0), respectively, p < 0.05), entities which in turn duplicated the risk of having high triglyceride levels. Sedentary women with <5 years since menopause onset were at higher risk of having abdominal obesity, which was directly related to diabetes and hypertension.


CONCLUSIONS
In this postmenopausal Ecuadorian population the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was high and its determinant factors related to age, time since menopause onset and sedentary habits. Because of the implications for cardiovascular risk, counseling programs directed toward high-risk populations should be encouraged.
Hidalgo
Luis A
LA
Institute of Biomedicine, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Chedraui
Peter A
PA
Morocho
Nancy
N
Alvarado
Mariela
M
Chavez
Diana
D
Huc
Angelica
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D004484:Ecuador / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000378:metabolism*; D012307:Risk Factors
D008055:Lipids