title: Prevalence and predictors of metabolic syndrome among Congolese pre- and postmenopausal women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Congolese pre- and postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 200 women (100 premenopausal and 100 postmenopausal) were interviewed and underwent clinical and biological investigations searching for lipid and non-lipid cardiovascular risk factors. National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII) criteria were used to define MetS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate predictors of MetS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, plasma cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels. MetS was present in 20% and 10% of postmenopausal and premenopausal women (p = 0.07), respectively. The MetS components hypertension, elevated plasma glucose and triglycerides were more frequently observed in post- vs. premenopausal women with MetS. Menopause (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.49; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-5.95), overweight (aOR 6.35; 95% CI 1.66-24.23) and obesity (aOR 14.29; 95% CI: 3.84-53.06) emerged as the main independent predictors of MetS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that MetS is common among Congolese postmenopausal women; menopause and weight gain emerged as its main predictors. This suggests that an integrated therapeutic approach combining hormone replacement therapy and lifestyle change in postmenopausal women should be considered.
authors.affiliation: * Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kinshasa University Hospital , Kinshasa , Democratic Republic of the Congo.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Muchanga Sifa
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Lepira
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Sumaili
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Makulo
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Mbelambela
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tozin
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Ngatu
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Suganuma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D017697:Premenopause / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides
keywords: BLACK WOMEN; MENOPAUSE; METABOLIC SYNDROME; PREDICTORS