title: Waist circumference and menopausal status are independent predictors of endothelial low-grade inflammation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) seems to be associated with the presence of atherosclerosis. The association between menopause-related changes in endogenous sex hormones and hs-CRP levels remains controversial.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the levels of hs-CRP in pre- and postmenopausal women and to evaluate the association of endogenous sex hormones, waist circumference (WC) and insulin resistance with the levels of hs-CRP.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study included 145 women (age range: 45-65 years), 56 premenopausal and 89 postmenopausal. Patients were evaluated for hormonal and lipid profile, HOMA-IR, hs-CRP and WC. Each variable was first assessed for correlation with log hs-CRP using a univariate model, and significant variables were then added to the multivariate regression model. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hs-CRP is higher in postmenopausal patients (3.6 ± 4.9 versus 2.6 ± 3.7, p = 0.004). The log hs-CRP was positively correlated with WC (r = 0.13, p = 0.005), HOMA-IR (r = 0.29, p = 0.001), and triglycerides (r = 0.50, p = 0.01). The menopausal status (p = 0.02) and WC (p = 0.00003) behaved as independent predictors of hs-CRP levels. No correlation was found between hs-CRP and the time since menopause (r = -0.1, p = 0.58).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The hs-CRP is higher in postmenopausal patients. The menopausal status and WC were independently associated with hs-CRP levels in this sample of pre and postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecological Endocrinology, University of Pernambuco , Recife , Brazil and.
authors.forename: Daniela Celestino
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Laura Olinda
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Andrea Almeida
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Vasconcelos
authors.forename: Joeline Cleto
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Cerqueira
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fantato
authors.forename: Dilenia Cipriano
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Ana Celia Oliveira
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Helio Fernandes
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Costa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008593:Menopause / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D055105:Waist Circumference
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein