Application of national screening criteria for blood pressure and cholesterol to perimenopausal women: prevalence of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation

National screening guidelines for hypertension and cholesterol were applied to the multiethnic sample of perimenopausal women (N = 1349) in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). To reduce low-density lipoprotein, lifestyle modification was indicated in 9.5% of patients and drug therapy in 5%. Chinese and Japanese women were least likely and African Americans were most likely to require interventions. Among all women, 27% were prehypertensive, 23% were hypertensive (blood pressure >140/90 mm Hg or treated), and 9.1% were untreated hypertensive. Untreated hypertension was lowest among Japanese and Chinese and highest among Hispanic and African-American women. Among all hypertensives, 60.5% were treated and only 58.5% of those treated were controlled. Control rates were lowest among African Americans and Hispanics. In this relatively low-risk population, a significant proportion of women with hypertension or hypercholesterolemia were either not treated, not treated adequately, or had borderline risk factors that would benefit from lifestyle interventions to prevent the need for future drug treatment.     

Ethnic variation in bone density in premenopausal and early perimenopausal women: effects of anthropometric and lifestyle factors

Bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture rates vary among women of differing ethnicities. Most reports suggest that BMD is highest in African-Americans, lowest in Asians, and intermediate in Caucasians, yet Asians have lower fracture rates than Caucasians. To assess the contributions of anthropometric and lifestyle characteristics to ethnic differences in BMD, we assessed lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in 2277 (for the lumbar spine) and 2330 (for the femoral neck) premenopausal or early perimenopausal women (mean age, 46.2 yr) participating in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. Forty-nine percent of the women were Caucasian, 28% were African-American, 12% were Japanese, and 11% were Chinese. BMDs were compared among ethnic groups before and after adjustment for covariates. Before adjustment, lumbar spine and femoral neck BMDs were highest in African-American women, next highest in Caucasian women, and lowest in Chinese and Japanese women. Unadjusted lumbar spine and femoral neck BMDs were 7-12% and 14-24% higher, respectively, in African-American women than in Caucasians, Japanese, or Chinese women. After adjustment, lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD remained highest in African-American women, and there were no significant differences between the remaining groups. When BMD was assessed in a subset of women weighing less than 70 kg and then adjusted for covariates, lumbar spine BMD became similar in African-American, Chinese, and Japanese women and was lowest in Caucasian women. Adjustment for bone size increased values for Chinese women to levels equal to or above those of Caucasian and Japanese women. Among women of comparable weights, there are no differences in lumbar spine BMD among African-American, Chinese, and Japanese women, all of whom have higher BMDs than Caucasians. Femoral neck BMD is highest in African-Americans and similar in Chinese, Japanese, and Caucasians. These findings may explain why Caucasian women have higher fracture rates than African-Americans and Asians.     

Menopause,complement, and hemostatic markers in women at midlife: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation

Objective

To evaluate whether higher circulating levels of complement proteins C3 and C4 are associated with menopausal status and with hemostatic/thrombus formation markers (circulating factor VII (factor VIIc), fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue plasminogen activator antigen (tPA-ag)) in a sample of midlife women.

Methods and results

A total of 100 women (50 late peri-/postmenopausal and 50 pre-/early peri- menopausal women) from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) Pittsburgh site were included in the present analysis. Factor VIIc and PAI-1 were log transformed. Linear regression was used for analysis. The mean age of the study participants was 50.5 ± 2.6 years with 73% were Caucasian and 27% were African American. C3 but not C4 was significantly higher in postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women (P value = 0.03), adjusting for age, race and BMI. In final model (adjusting for age, race, BMI and menopausal status), C3 was associated with higher levels of log PAI-1 (P value = 0.0009) and tPA-ag (P value = 0.0003), while C4 was associated with higher levels of log factor VIIc (P value = 0.04) and fibrinogen (P value = 0.005).

Conclusions

These data suggest that C3 and C4 may be related to blood clots via their associations with hemostatic markers and that C3 is related to menopausal status. Complement proteins C3 and C4 could be possible pathways by which postmenopausal women are at higher risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular related events. It is important to replicate these findings in a larger sample size.     

Race-ethnic differences in adipokine levels: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

Differences in adipose tissue secretory profile, as measured by adipokine levels, may play a role in race-ethnic disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD). We examined race-ethnic differences in adipokine levels in a group of mid-life Caucasian, African American (AA), Chinese and Japanese women, after accounting for adiposity. Data on 1876 women from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation were analyzed. In multivariable adjustment, including total fat mass, differences in total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin, leptin and soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R) levels were examined. Despite intermediate levels of adiposity, Caucasian women had higher levels of both total and HMW adiponectin, when compared to both AA and Chinese and Japanese women. After multivariable adjustment, compared to Caucasian women, AA women had significantly lower total (β: -3.40; 95% CI: -4.29, -2.52; P<.001) and HMW adiponectin (β: -0.53; 95% CI: -0.64, -0.43; P<.001) levels, higher leptin levels (β: 3.26; 95% CI: 1.36, 5.16; P<.001) and lower sOB-R levels (β: -0.07; 95% CI: -0.11, -0.03; P<.001). Compared to Caucasian women, both Chinese and Japanese women had lower total (Chinese: β: -5.50; 95% CI: -7.07, -3.93; P<.001; Japanese: β: -5.48; 95% CI: -6.95, -4.02; P<.001) and HMW adiponectin (Chinese: β: -0.57; 95% CI: -0.75, -0.38; P<.001; Japanese: β: -0.61; 95% CI: -0.78, -0.44; P<.001) levels and lower sOB-R levels (Chinese: β: -0.13; 95% CI: -0.20, -0.06; P<.001; Japanese: β: -0.09; 95% CI: -0.15, -0.02; P=.008). Significant race-ethnic differences exist in circulating adipokines, even after accounting for adiposity. Further research is needed to explicitly determine if such differences contribute to known racial differences in CVD risk.     

Ethnic variation in hypertension prevalence of women in Taiwan

The prevalence and risk factors of hypertension vary in ethnic groups. This study aimed to estimate the hypertension prevalence and to compare risk factors associated with hypertension in women of four ethnic groups in Taiwan. The study subjects were participants in the Taiwanese Survey on Hypertension, Hyperglycemia and Hyperlipidemia (TwSHHH) enrolled in 2002. In this analysis, only 2810 women who were at age of 20-80 years old and whose father and mother had same ethnic background (Minnan, Hakka, Aborigines or Mainland Chinese) were included. Results showed that there were significant ethnic differences in the prevalence of hypertension, obesity indices, fasting glucose, dyslipidaemia, hyperuricaemia, history of alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking and socioeconomic status. Aborigines had the highest prevalence of hypertension (28.6%) and diabetes mellitus (8.9%), whereas the Minnan group had the second highest prevalence of hypertension (19.2%) and diabetes mellitus (7.9%). Both age and central obesity were associated with an increased prevalence of hypertension except central obesity in Mainland Chinese in all four ethnic groups. Compared with the Mainland Chinese as the referent, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) was 1.19 (0.63-2.26), 1.92 (1.15-3.21) and 2.03 (1.00-4.12) for Hakka, Minnan and Aborigines, respectively. Elevated body mass index (>or=27.0 vs <24.0 kg m(-2)) and central obesity were significantly associated with hypertension showing multivariate-adjusted OR (95% CI) of 1.68 (1.18-2.38) and 1.95 (1.48-2.57), respectively. In addition, dyslipidaemia, hyperuricaemia and diabetes associated with higher OR for hypertension in Minnan women. In conclusion, there were ethnic variations in hypertension prevalence and determinants in Taiwanese women.     

Sex steroids and bone density in premenopausal and perimenopausal women

Bone density begins to decline in women before menopause, and the degree of bone loss is variable. We performed a cross-sectional analysis on the entry data of a 5-yr prospective study of risk factors for osteoporosis to determine the correlation of bone density with serum sex steroid concentrations and body weight. We studied 292 healthy white women, aged 35-50 yr, who were menstruating regularly or had had menses in the past 12 months. Blood samples were drawn in the early follicular phase for estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Free levels of E2 (FE2) and T (FT) were calculated based on total T and E2, SHBG, and albumin levels. Women were classified as premenopausal (FSH, less than 12 U/L) and perimenopausal (FSH greater than or equal to 12 U/L; n = 46; 16%). Bone density was measured by dual photon absorptiometry of the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and hip and by single photon absorptiometry of the wrist. Perimenopausal women were older than premenopausal women (45.5 +/- 3.5 and 41.0 +/- 3.9 yr, respectively), but did not differ in height or weight. While bone density did not correlate with age in each group, perimenopausal women had significantly lower bone density at the L2-L4 and femoral neck (L2-L4, 1.18 +/- 0.14 in perimenopausal and 1.24 +/- 0.12 g/cm2 in premenopausal women; femur, 0.84 +/- 0.11 in perimenopausal and 0.90 +/- 0.11 g/cm2 in premenopausal women; P less than 0.005). Body weight showed the strongest positive correlation with bone density. Log FT, percent FT, and FE2 percent correlated positively with bone density, even after controlling for weight. Log SHBG was negatively correlated with bone density in premenopausal women at the hip and wrist after controlling for weight. FSH was inversely correlated with bone density, and E2 and T were lower in perimenopausal than premenopausal women. These data suggest that women who are still menstruating may have relative deficiencies in both E2 and T, with reduced bone densities as a consequence.     

Ethnic disparities in stroke and hypertension among women: the BASIC project

BACKGROUND: Little data exist on stroke burden in Mexican-American (MA) women. The objective of this study was to characterize the burden of stroke in MA and non-Hispanic white (NHW) women and to compare this burden across ethnic groups. METHODS: Cases of ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage among women (January 2000-December 2006) were identified as part of the Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi (BASIC) Project, a stroke surveillance study in a biethnic Texas community. Cumulative incidence of stroke among women was compared by ethnicity and age. Logistic regression was used to compare risk factors and age-adjusted use of antihypertensives between MA and NHW female stroke cases. RESULTS: MA women had elevated stroke risk compared with NHW women at younger ages (ages 45-59: relative risk (RR) = 2.00 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.54-2.58); ages 60-74: RR = 1.57 (95% CI: 1.31-1.87); ages > or =75: RR = 1.13 (95% CI: 0.98-1.29)). Stroke severity and stroke type did not differ between ethnic groups. MA female stroke cases were more likely to have hypertension (odds ratio (OR) = 1.41 (95% CI: 1.11-1.80)), diabetes (OR = 3.54 (95% CI: 2.82-4.45)), and the presence of both risk factors (OR = 3.31 (95% CI: 2.61-4.21)) compared with NHW female stroke cases and were more likely to report use of antihypertensives (OR = 1.51 (95% CI: 1.10-2.06)). There was a trend toward greater hypertension awareness among MA female stroke cases (OR = 1.37 (95% CI: 0.98-1.91)). CONCLUSIONS: MA women have increased risk of stroke at younger ages compared with NHW women. Reasons for this ethnic disparity, including an increased prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, should be explored.     

Ethnic variation in bone turnover in pre- and early perimenopausal women: effects of anthropometric and lifestyle factors

Bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture rates vary among women of differing ethnicities. Little is known, however, about ethnic variation in bone turnover. We measured serum osteocalcin (OC) and urinary N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX) levels in 2313 pre- or early perimenopausal women who were Caucasian (n = 1140), African-American (n = 651), Chinese (n = 247), or Japanese (n = 275) and were participating in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. Serum OC and urinary NTX levels were compared before and after adjustment for a series of lifestyle and anthropometric variables that can affect bone turnover. Unadjusted serum OC levels were highest in Caucasian women (P < 0.001 vs. all other groups), higher in African-American than Chinese women (P = 0.006), and similar in Chinese and Japanese women (P = 0.203) and African-American and Japanese women (P = 0.187). Unadjusted serum OC levels were 11-24% higher in Caucasians than in the other groups. Adjustment for covariates did not alter the ethnic pattern of serum OC levels. Unadjusted urinary NTX levels were statistically significantly higher in Caucasian and African-American women than in Chinese women (P < 0.001) for both comparisons). Unadjusted urinary NTX levels were higher in Caucasian than in Japanese women (P = 0.071) and higher in Japanese than in Chinese women (P = 0.055), but these differences were of borderline statistical significance. Unadjusted urinary NTX levels were 9-18% higher in African-Americans and Caucasians than in the other groups. Among Caucasians, there were significant geographic regional variations in both serum OC and urinary NTX levels, with higher levels in women from the Northeast and the Midwest than in women from California. These data demonstrate significant ethnic differences in bone turnover in pre- and early perimenopausal women. Although these differences in adult bone turnover may explain some of the known ethnic variation in BMD, ethnic patterns of adult bone turnover do not parallel patterns of BMD. Other factors, such as differences in bone accretion, are likely responsible for much of the ethnic variation in adult BMD.     

Cigarette smoking and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis among postmenopausal women: results from the Iowa Women's Health Study

PURPOSE: To determine whether cigarette smoking increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis among postmenopausal women. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We followed a cohort of 31 336 women in Iowa who were aged 55 to 69 years in 1986 and who had no history of rheumatoid arthritis. Through 1997, 158 cases of rheumatoid arthritis were identified and validated based on review of medical records and supplementary information provided by physicians. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to derive rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between cigarette smoking and rheumatoid arthritis. RESULTS: Compared with women who had never smoked, women who were current smokers (RR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.3 to 2.9) or who had quit 10 years or less before study baseline (RR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1 to 3.1) were at increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis, but women who had quit more than 10 years before baseline were not at increased risk (RR = 0.9; 95% CI: 0.5 to 2.6). Both the duration and intensity of smoking were associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Multivariable adjustments for age, marital status, occupation, body mass index, age at menopause, oral contraceptive use, hormone replacement therapy, alcohol use, and coffee consumption did not alter these results. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that abstinence from smoking may reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis among postmenopausal women.     

Types of anemia and mortality among older disabled women living in the community: the Women's Health and Aging Study I

AIMS: To classify the different types of anemia among moderately to severely disabled women living in the community and examine the relationship between types of anemia and mortality. METHODS: We studied anemia in 688 women, >or=65 years, in the Women's Health and Aging Study I, a population based study of moderately to severely disabled older women living in the community in Baltimore, Maryland. Anemia was defined by World Health Organization criteria. Causes of anemia were classified as due to nutritional deficiencies (iron, folate, and B12 deficiencies), anemia of chronic inflammation, anemia with renal disease, and unexplained anemia. RESULTS: 147 of 688 (21.4%) women were anemic (hemoglobin <12 g/dL). Of the 147 anemic women, 22 (15.0%) had anemia due to nutritional causes, 45 (30.6%) had anemia due to chronic inflammation, 29 (19.7%) had anemia and renal disease, and 51 (34.7%) had unexplained anemia. The proportions of those who died over five years among non-anemic women and women with anemia due to nutritional causes, chronic inflammation, renal disease, and unexplained anemia were 26.1%, 18.2%, 38.6%, 64.3%, and 33.3%, respectively (p<0.0001). Compared with non-anemic women, those with anemia and renal disease (HR 1.99, 95% CI 1.18-3.35, p=0.009) and anemia of chronic inflammation (HR 1.69, 95% CI 1.00-2.84, p=0.05) had higher risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: Anemia is common among moderately to severely disabled older women living in the community, and about one-third of the anemia is unexplained. Anemia with renal disease and anemia of chronic inflammation are associated with a higher mortality.     

Vegetative status in pregnant and perimenopausal women with hypertension

We observed 137 patients, 72 of whom (53%) had hypertension in II trimester of pregnancy, and 65 patients (47%) who had hypertension in perimenopausal period. The comprehensive clinical and instrumental examination was carried out in all patients, including simultaneous 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) recording (with BP pattern), assessment of vegetative tone using the vegetative index (index Kerdo). Sympathetic/adrenergic activity (SAA) was quantified as β-receptor binding (β-RB). Hypertension in pregnant women is associated with increased activity of the sympathetic-adrenal system, as evidenced by high values of β-ARM, the Kerdo index and the presence of correlation between these parameters. Parasympathicotonia in perimenopausal women prevails.