ORGAN DAMAGE IN PRE- AND POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY

Objective: We aimed to explore the prevalences and covariables of cardiovascular organ damage in overweight and obese women taking menopausal status into account. Design and method: Data from 349 women and 230 men in the FAT associated CardiOvasculaR dysfunction study was used. Menopause was considered present if >1 year since last menstruation, serum level of follicle stimulating hormone >40 IU/L and estradiol <30 pg/mL. Hypertension was identified as 24-hour blood pressure >=130/80 mmHg or use of antihypertensive medication. Cardiovascular organ damage was considered present if left atrial dilatation, left ventricular hypertrophy, or pulse wave velocity >10 m/s were present. The association between menopausal status and cardiovascular organ damage was assessed in logistic regression analysis with men as the reference group. Results: The average age was 48 years, 60% were women and 46% of women were postmenopausal. The premenopausal women were younger, more obese and had lower prevalence of hypertension compared to the other groups (all p<0.05), while the prevalence of diabetes was similar. The prevalence of cardiovascular organ damage was similar between premenopausal and postmenopausal women (77% vs 82%, p=0.66) but lower in men (64%, p<0.05). In univariable analysis female sex, older age, higher 24-hour systolic blood pressure, fat percentage and presence of diabetes, and lower heart rate were all associated with cardiovascular organ damage (all p<0.05). In multivariable analysis premenopausal women had a 3-fold and postmenopausal women a 2-fold increased risk of cardiovascular organ damage compared to men (both p<0.05), independent of significant associations with 24-h systolic blood pressure and heart rate (Table 1). Conclusions: Cardiovascular organ damage was more prevalent in women compared to men, irrespective of menopausal status. These findings suggest that other factors beyond menopause drive the increased risk of organ damage in overweight and obese women. Premenopausal status does not protect against cardiac organ damage in overweight and obese women.