1995 年 5 巻 1 号 p. 23-28
To examine menopause-related changes in cardiovascular risk factors in women, we analyzed the data of a 1981-84 cross-sectional study of rural Japanese women aged 40-69 years and a 4. 3-year subsequent follow-up of premenopausal women. In the cross-sectional study, mean serum total cholesterol was higher in women aged 50 and over than in women aged 40-44 years. Women showed a significantly higher serum cholesterol level than men for aged 50 and over. For women aged 45-49, in which 50% of women turned into postmenopausal status, postmenopausal women showed a significantly higher cholesterol level than premenopausal women : 194 mg/dl vs. 183 mg/ dl, respectively (p<0.05). Blood pressure levels were lower in women than in men, but the sex difference was smaller for aged 50 and over. Mean body mass index and skinfold thickness were higher in women than in men. During the follow-up period, women showed a significant increase in mean serum total cholesterol (16 mg/dl) and subscapular skinfold thickness (2 mm) while men did not. Triceps skinfold thickness did not change in either sex. Blood pressure levels increased for both women and men in a similar magnitude. In conclusion, we found the increase in serum total cholesterol and the change in body fat distribution related with menopause in Japanese women. Whether these menopause-related risk factor changes would raise the risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease require further studies. J Epidemiol, 1995; 5 : 23-28.
