title: Endogenous sex hormones are not associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in menopausal women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this paper was to compare the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in pre- and postmenopausal women and to evaluate the association between endogenous sex hormones, body fat distribution, and insulin resistance and the IMT.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study included 145 women aged 45-65 yr, comprising 56 premenopausal (FSH<20IU/mL and regular menstrual cycles) and 89 postmenopausal (FSH>40IU/ml and amenorrheic). All patients were evaluated for lipid profile, estradiol and testosterone, insulin ratio (G/I), HOMA-IR, and ultrasound measurement of IMT. Each variable was assessed for correlation with IMT using the univariate model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No difference was observed in IMT between pre- and postmenopausal women. A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between IMT and FSH levels (rs=0.21, P<0.009) and HOMA (rs=0.16, P<0.04). A positive and statistically significant correlation was observed between testosterone and waist (rs=0.3, P<0.04). No correlation was found between IMT and time of menopause (r=0.02, P=0.19).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Estradiol and testosterone are not associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in menopausal women. A positive correlation between IMT and FSH may reflect an association between low estrogen and IMT. Abdominal fat can be an important link between androgenic levels and cardiovascular risk.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecological Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyMedical School, University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Celestino Catão Da Silva
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nogueira De Almeida Vasconcelos
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cleto Maria Cerqueira
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Oliveira Cipriano Torres
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Oliveira Dos Santos
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: De Lima Ferreira Fernandes Costa
authors.forename: L O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Bregieiro Fernandes Costa
mesh_terms: D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism*; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D017697:Premenopause; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone