METABOLIC SYNDROME AMONG POSTMENOPAUSAL SUDANESE WOMEN

Asim Alaaeldin Osman*, Ammar Mohammed Ali Mohammed, Osman Sadig Bokhari, Ahmed Mohamed Fadlalla

ABSTRACT

Background: The metabolic syndrome defined as an assemblage of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, and menopause is associated with an increase in metabolic syndrome prevalence. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components among postmenopausal women in Northern state, Sudan. Methods: In this cross-sectional study in Northern state, Sudan, 290 postmenopausal women were investigated. Adult treatment panel 3 (ATP3) criteria were employed to classify subjects as having metabolic syndrome. Results: Total prevalence of metabolic syndrome among our subjects was 51.4%. Waist circumference, triglyceride, Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and fasting blood glucose were significantly higher among women with metabolic syndrome while HDL cholesterol was significantly lower among women with metabolic syndrome (P-value<0.05). The study showed high abdominal obesity, hypertension and elevated fasting blood glucose are the most prevalent components of metabolic syndrome. There was a significant relationship between number of components of metabolic syndrome and waist circumference. Conclusions: Postmenopausal status was associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. Therefore, to prevent cardiovascular disease there is a need to evaluate metabolic syndrome and its components from the time of the menopause.

Keywords: Menopause, Metabolic syndrome, Prevalence.