312 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MENOPAUSE AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

Background and Objective: Menopausal women are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study is to determine the association between CVD risk factors in women who are menopausal compared to non menopausal Design and methods: Community-based, cross sectional study involving 11,288 adults aged ≥ 30 years was carried out in urban and rural areas of Malaysia between 2007 and 2010. Women who were on anti-hypertensive and anti-cholesterol treatment were excluded. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between CVD risk factors and menopausal status. Results: Out of the 11,288 adults, 4645 women fulfilled the inclusion criteria of whom 2086 (45%) were menopausal and 2559 (55%) were non menopausal. Mean total cholesterol (p=0.001), low density lipid (p=0.001), triglycerides (p=0.001), high systolic blood pressure (p=0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.010) were significantly higher in menopausal as compared to non-menopausal women. There was no significant difference in mean high density lipoprotein level between the two groups (p=0.839). Mean body mass index in menopausal was significantly lower as compared to non-menopausal women (p=0.001). Conclusion: Menopausal women in Malaysia have higher CVD risk profile as compared to non-menopausal women. Concerted effort must be undertaken to screen and reduce CVD risk factors in these women.