title: Association between Metabolic Syndrome and Menstrual Irregularity in Middle-Aged Korean Women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Menstrual irregularity is a common major complaint in women of reproductive age. It is also a known marker for underlying insulin resistance. We investigated the association between menstrual irregularity and metabolic syndrome in the general population of middle-aged women in Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2012. A total of 2,742 subjects were included in the analysis. Participants were divided into two categories based on their menstrual cycle regularity and the relationship between metabolic syndrome and its variables was investigated by multiple logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adjusted analyses revealed significantly higher odds ratios for metabolic syndrome, high waist circumference, high triglyceride levels, and low high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels with the presence of menstrual irregularity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Metabolic syndrome and its components (high waist circumference, high triglyceride levels, and low high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels) were significantly associated with menstrual irregularity in women of reproductive age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Su
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Do Hoon
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ga-Eun
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyo-Yun
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Eun
authors.initials: YE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Do
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Gyu
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: Insulin Resistance; Menstrual Cycle; Metabolic Syndrome; Obesity; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome