title: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in pre- and post-menopausal women: A prospective study from apex institute of North India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The metabolic syndrome (MS) (syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome) is a constellation of metabolic abnormalities and a complex predisease state that predicts future development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Menopausal transition and postmenopausal state are considered as a vulnerable period for developing MS, and this increased risk has been attributed to decreasing estrogen levels with an increasing risk of insulin resistance following menopause.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MS and its components in pre- and post-menopausal women from North India.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional study of 350 women in the age group of 45-55 years attending gynecology clinic in a tertiary center of North India. Details of sociodemographic data, menopausal history, reproductive, and medical profile were obtained. Then, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure were recorded. A venous blood sample was collected for fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. MS was defined according to the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 49.09 ± 2.2 years in premenopausal and 49.54 ± 2.8 years in postmenopausal women. The prevalence of MS in the study group was 62.6%. Occurrence of MS was higher in older and obese women. Abnormal waist circumference was the most prevalent component (87%) of MS and in terms of odd ratio, correlation was highest for BMI followed by total cholesterol and waist-hip ratio.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We should target obesity and deranged lipid profile by bringing out changes in lifestyle and dietary habits to decrease the higher prevalence of MS and the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Neelam
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Bharti
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Vanita
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Suri
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Badada
keywords: Menopause; metabolic syndrome; postmenopausal women; premenopausal women