Abstract 13697: Reproductive Years and the Risk of Cardiovascular Events in Women: Insights From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Abstract

Background: Prior studies show conflicting information regarding the association of reproductive year duration with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in older women. The aim of this study is to determine whether a longer duration of reproductive years in women in the US population is associated with a lower risk of CVDs. Methods: Females ≥ 60 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007-2012 were included. Subjects provided information about the age of both menarche and menopause as well as the presence/absence of CVD. Based on the reproductive year duration, participants were categorized into either a longer duration group (> 30 years) or shorter duration group (≤ 30 years). Subgroup analysis for each 5-year increment in the longer reproductive duration group was conducted. Generalized linear model was used in the analysis and relative risk (RR) regression was performed. Sensitivity analysis was performed excluding events after 55 years. Results: 3,081 patients were included in the analysis. A longer duration of reproductive years was associated with a lower risk of CVD, compared to a shorter duration (RR 0.71, 95% CI (confidence interval) 0.56-0.83, p= 0.002). The reproductive durations ranging from 35-40 and 41-45 years were associated with lower risk of CVDs (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.51-0.68, p=0.002, and RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.54-0.79, p=0.03, respectively); however; those ranging in age from 30-35 and over 45 years were not associated with lower risk of CVD (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.57-1.40, p=0.10, and RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.37-1.69, p=0.54, respectively). Sensitivity analysis excluding the events after 55 years yielded similar estimates (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.44-0.99, p=0.04). Conclusion: Longer duration of reproductive years was associated with lower risk of CVDs in older women. This effect was more evident in older women who had duration of reproductive years ranging from 35-45 years.