Atherosclerotic Index and Traditional Anthropometry for Predicting Carotid Intima Media Thickness in Perimenopausal/Menopausal Women

Abstract

Background: Atherosclerosis is an important pathologic cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Menopause involves changes in hormonal status that are associated with an increased risk of developing CVD. The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) has been used as a predictor of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis might also be assessed using a surrogate marker, the carotid artery wall intima media thickness (CIMT).

Objective: To assess the usefulness of AIP compared with traditional anthropometrics for predicting CIMT in perimenopausal and menopausal women.

Material and method: This is a cross-sectional study involving perimenopausal and menopausal women voluntarily recruited. Lipid profiles, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were assessed and AIP was calculated [log (TG/HDL-C)]. The anthropometric parameters of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were assessed. Pearson Chi-square for AIP and anthropometric parameters relationship to CIMT in perimenopausal and menopausal women.

Results: One hundred fourteen perimenopausal and menopausal women were included in this study. The novel atherosclerotic index of AIP and the anthropometric parameter of BMI were correlated with CIMT in both groups (p<0.01). There was no difference in AIP between perimenopausal and menopausal women. Neither WC nor WHR were different between the two groups. CIMT was significantly thicker in the menopausal compared with the perimenopausal group [0.78±0.16 vs. 0.64±0.09, respectively (p<0.01)].

Conclusion: AIP can add significant value when assessing the risk of developing the atherosclerosis marker of thickened CIMT in perimenopausal and menopausal women. A high AIP in menopause may indicate a higher risk of cardiovascular events in spite of no difference in common CVD risk factors such as lipid profile parameters.