PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in pre-menopausal housewives and to explore controllable and uncontrollable factors regarding metabolic syndrome. METHODS: The study population of this cross-sectional survey was from the Korean Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KHANES) 2010 through 2015, including the fifth and sixth population-based studies. The criteria for metabolic syndrome include waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) based on Korean Clinical Practice Guideline for Metabolic Syndrome by the Korean Academy of Family Medicine 2015. RESULTS: Among the 2,498 subjects, 247 subjects had metabolic syndrome and the prevalence was estimated to be 9.9%. The number of subjects who met the criterion of HDL was 936 (36.2%), which was the most prevalent among the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Statistically significant (p < .05) factors include age, livinghood benefit group, perceived health status, obesity, family history of DM, sleeping time, awareness of stress,leukocyte, and erythrocyte count. The odds ratio of obesity in the BMI ≥25 group was 12.59 times as high as that of the BMI < 25 group (p < .001) for metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in pre-menopausal housewives in the survey was not low, and it is necessary to develop and apply comprehensive health habit management programs to improve controllable factors including exercise and food intake.
Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Eating ; Erythrocyte Count ; Fasting ; Female ; Humans ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity ; Odds Ratio ; Premenopause ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

Osteopontin (OPN) is an acidic, noncollagenous matrix protein produced by the bone and kidneys. It is reportedly involved in bone resorption and formation. We examined the association between serum OPN levels and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. Premenopausal women (n=32) and postmenopausal women (n=409) participated in the study. We measured serum osteopontin levels and their relationships with bone mineral density and previous total fragility fractures. The postmenopausal women had higher mean serum OPN levels compared to the premenopausal women (43.6+/-25.9 vs 26.3+/-18.6 ng/mL; P<0.001). In the postmenopausal women, high serum OPN levels were negatively correlated with mean lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) (r=-0.113, P=0.023). In a stepwise multiple linear regression model, serum OPN levels were associated with BMD of the spine, femoral neck, and total hip after adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking, and physical activity in postmenopausal women. However, serum OPN levels did not differ between postmenopausal women with and without fractures. Postmenopausal women exhibit higher serum OPN levels than premenopausal women and higher serum OPN levels were associated with low BMD in postmenopausal women.
Aged ; Bone Density/*physiology ; Female ; Femur Neck/metabolism ; Fractures, Bone/metabolism/pathology ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Middle Aged ; Osteopontin/*blood ; Postmenopause ; Premenopause ; Spine/metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the changes in sexual function in premenopausal women after renal transplantation.

METHODSForty-two married premenopausal women receiving dialysis therapy for at least 6 months with normal renal function for 6 months after renal transplantation were examined for hormonal profiles and menstrual cycles. The sexual functions of the patients were evaluated using Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) before and 6 months after the transplantation.

RESULTSBefore renal transplantation, amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, polymenorrhea, and eumenorrhea were found in 18 cases (42.9%), 10 cases (23.8%), 5 cases (11.9%) and 9 cases (21.4%), as compared to 7 cases (16.7%), 5 cases (11.9%), 6 cases (14.3%) and 24 cases (57.1%) after the transplantation, respectively. Prolactin (PRL), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels significantly decreased and estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) significantly increased after renal transplantation (P<0.001). Nineteen patients (45.2%) before and 36 patients (85.7%) after the surgery reported to have an active sexual life (P<0.001). The total incidences of female sexual dysfunction before and after kidney transplantation were 90.5% and 40.5% (P<0.001), respectively. The scores for sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, satisfaction, orgasm, and pain in FSFI were significantly increased after kidney transplantation (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONSA successful renal transplantation can significantly improve sexual functions in premenopausal women.

Adult ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Menstrual Cycle ; Middle Aged ; Premenopause ; Progesterone ; blood ; Prolactin ; blood ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological ; epidemiology

Role of iron in hair loss is not clear yet. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between iron and hair loss. Retrospective chart review was conducted on patients with female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and male pattern hair loss (MPHL). All patients underwent screening including serum ferritin, iron, and total iron binding capacity (TIBC), CBC, ESR and thyroid function test. For normal healthy controls, age-sex matched subjects who had visited the hospital for a check-up with no serious disease were selected. A total 210 patients with FPHL (n = 113) and MPHL (n = 97) with 210 healthy controls were analyzed. Serum ferritin concentration (FC) was lower in patients with FPHL (49.27 +/- 55.8 microg/L), compared with normal healthy women (77.89 +/- 48.32 microg/L) (P < 0.001). Premenopausal FPHL patients turned out to show much lower serum ferritin than age/sex-matched controls (P < 0.001). Among MPHL patients, 22.7% of them showed serum FC lower than 70 microg/L, while no one had serum FC lower 70 microg/L in healthy age matched males. These results suggest that iron may play a certain role especially in premenopausal FPHL. The initial screening of iron status could be of help for hair loss patients.
Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Alopecia/blood/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Ferritins/blood ; Ferrous Compounds/therapeutic use ; Hemoglobins/analysis ; Humans ; Iron/*blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Premenopause ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Function Tests

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the diagnostic utility of osteocalcin (OC), undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in pre- and postmenopausal women for femoral neck, L1-4, and L2-4 bone mineral density (BMD) values by taking into consideration their age, body mass index (BMI), and menopausal status. METHODS: Premenopausal (N=40) and postmenopausal cases (N=42) were classified as 25-34 or 35-45 yr of age and within the first 5 yr or 5 yr or more after the onset of menopause, respectively. RESULTS: Among the groups, statistical differences were found for age, BMI, OC, ucOC, ALP, femoral neck BMD, L1-4 BMD, and L2-4 BMD. The highest serum OC, ucOC, and ALP levels were observed in cases within the first 5 yr after the onset of menopause, probably due to a more rapid bone turnover rate. The best predictors for the femoral neck osteoporosis were ALP, OC, and calcium (areas under the ROC curve [AUC]=0.882, 0.829, and 0.761, respectively), and those for L1-4 and L2-4 osteoporosis were OC, ALP, and ucOC (AUC=0.949, 0.873, and 0.845; and 0.866, 0.819, and 0.814, respectively). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the most discriminative parameter for osteoporosis was OC. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that serum OC levels, with or without ucOC and ALP, may be useful to monitor follow-up changes that currently cannot be assessed with BMD and to diagnose femoral neck, L1-4 spine, and L2-4 spine osteoporosis.
Adult ; Aged ; Alkaline Phosphatase/*blood ; Body Mass Index ; Bone Density ; Discriminant Analysis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Middle Aged ; Osteocalcin/*blood ; Osteoporosis/blood/*diagnosis ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/blood/diagnosis ; Postmenopause ; Premenopause

PURPOSE: We investigated the effects of group III mechanoreceptors to cardiovascular responses in both pre-menopausal woman and post-menopausal woman during passive ankle dorsiflexion (PAD). METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers (10 post-menopausal women and 10 pre-menopausal women) were recruited for this study. Stroke volume (SV), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), and total vascular conductances (TVC) were measured continuously throughout the experiment. To stimulate the group III mechanoreceptors, PAD was performed for one minute. RESULTS: The results showed that mean arterial pressure (MAP) mediated by the mechanoreflex activation was significantly increased in both groups. However, this pressor response was significantly higher in post-menopausal women. This reflex significantly increased both SV and CO in pre-menopausal women, while there were no differences in post-menopausal women. There was no difference in HR in either group. The mechanoreflex significantly decreased TVC in post-menopausal woman, while there was no difference in pre-menopausal woman. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the excessive pressor response mediated by the mechanoreflex occurs due to overactivity of group III mechanorecptors and the mechanism is produced mainly via peripheral vasoconstriction in post-menopausal women.
Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiac Output ; Estrogens/*metabolism ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Mechanoreceptors ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause ; Premenopause ; Reflex, Stretch/*physiology ; Stroke Volume

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to quantitatively measure changes in lipids and lipoproteins during perimenopause and to identify variables related to these changes. METHODS: Among women who had three regular health evaluations over a span of 2-4 years, 34 women remained in the premenopausal state, 34 premenopausal women transitioned to the postmenopausal state, and 36 postmenopausal women were enrolled. The menopausal state was determined not only by a history of amenorrhea but also by levels of female sex hormones. Yearly changes in lipids were calculated using a linear regression of the three measurements. RESULTS: The transition from premenopause to postmenopause was associated with increased total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by 7.4 +/- 8.0 mg/dL (4.2 +/- 4.9%) and 6.9 +/- 6.5 mg/dL (6.8 +/- 7.0%) over one year, resulting in an elevation of 19.6 +/- 22.6 mg/dL (10.9 +/- 13.0%) and 18.9 +/- 19.5 mg/dL (18.6 +/- 20.3%), respectively, during perimenopause. There were no changes observed in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Body weight, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides did not change in any of the three groups. In all women, changes in both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were associated with changes in follicle stimulating hormone (r = 0.40, p < 0.001 and r = 0.38, p < 0.001, respectively). Changes in triglycerides were associated with changes in body weight (r = 0.28, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: During perimenopause, total and LDL cholesterol levels increase and these changes in cholesterol are mainly dependent on changes in female sex hormones.
Adult ; Cholesterol, HDL/blood ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood ; Humans ; Lipids/*blood ; Lipoproteins/*blood ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause/*blood ; Premenopause/*blood

PURPOSE: This study was to examine the effects of self-foot reflexology on stress, fatigue and blood circulation in premenopausal middle-aged women. METHODS: A quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group, pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were 59 premenopausal, middle-aged women in their 40s and 60s living in G city: 30 in the experiment group and 29 in the control group. Data were collected from May to August 2008. Self-foot reflexology was performed three times a week for 6 weeks for 40 min at each session. RESULTS: The results showed that self-foot reflexology was effective in reducing perceived stress and fatigue and helped blood circulation in premenopausal middle-aged women. CONCLUSION: Self-foot reflexology may be an effective nursing intervention in reducing perceived stress and fatigue and in improving blood circulation.
Adult ; Blood Pressure/*physiology ; Demography ; Fatigue/*therapy ; Female ; Foot ; Humans ; Massage/*methods ; Middle Aged ; Patient Education as Topic ; *Premenopause/physiology/psychology ; Stress, Psychological/*therapy

Soy-isoflavones may act as estrogenic agonists or antagonists depending on the endogenous hormone status. These clinical effects can be exerted variably in individuals by the metabolic ability to produce a more potent metabolite than precursors. The objective of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to investigate the skeletal effect of isoflavones according to their metabolic variability in premenopausal women. Volunteers were randomly assigned to receive either soy-extract isoflavones (n=32) or lactose (n=21) once a day for three menstrual cycles. After intervention, the urinary excretions of isoflavones and their metabolites were significantly higher in the soy group than in the placebo group and showed a large inter-individual variation. Women in the soy group were divided into subgroups according to their ability to excrete more potent metabolites. Serum osteocalcin and urine deoxypyridinoline showed a tendency to increase after a challenge in equol high-excretors. Serum osteocalcin concentration in the genistein high-excretors increased significantly after a challenge (P=0.04) but did not increase in either the placebo or genistein low-excretors. An estrogenic antagonistic effect of isoflavones on bone turnover was observed in premenopausal women who are able to produce more potent metabolites.
Adult ; Amino Acids/urine ; Bone and Bones/*drug effects/metabolism ; Double-Blind Method ; Estrogen Antagonists/*pharmacokinetics/pharmacology/urine ; Female ; Humans ; Isoflavones/*pharmacokinetics/pharmacology/urine ; Middle Aged ; Osteocalcin/blood ; *Premenopause

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between dehydroepiandrosterone and arteriosclerosis in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

METHODSForty premenopausal and 40 postmenopausal women were examined for serum concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone and intima-media thickness of the carotid artery, and the serum concentrations of lipids, estrogen, endothelin, and E-selectin were also measured.

RESULTSCompared with premenopausal women, the mean intima-media thickness was increased but dehydroepiandrosterone and estrogen levels were decreased in postmenopausal women. A significant inverse correlation was detected between the intima-media thicknesses and dehydroepiandrosterone level. The postmenopausal women had decreased antioxidation and elevated low-density lipoprotein level.

CONCLUSIONArteriosclerosis is more likely to occur in women with low dehydroepiandrosterone level which causes decreased antioxidation and elevation of blood lipid levels.

Adult ; Arteriosclerosis ; blood ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; blood ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Lipids ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause ; blood ; Premenopause ; blood