A cross-sectional observation on the association of menopause with coronary risk factors in Japanese female workers

Biological risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD), i.e., blood pressure, serum lipids and uric acid (UA), blood glucose and hemoglobin Alc, together with serum hepatic enzymes, were measured in 260 female workers consisting of 118 40-year-olds, 102 50-y.o. and 40 60-y.o., and the age-related differences were compared with male workers of the same age. The association of menopause with the risk factors and serum hepatic enzymes was also evaluated. Serum total cholesterol (Tch), triglycerides (TG), UA, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels were higher in the females in higher age groups, much more noticeably than in the males. Serum Tch was lower in the females aged 40 y than in the males, but higher in the females aged 50 and 60 y. Other parameters remained better in the females in all three age groups. A significant association of menopause was found with a higher serum Tch level and was suggested with higher serum ALT and GGT levels. Tch was highest in women less than or equal to 5 years from menopause while ALT and GGT were highest in women 5 to 9 years from menopause, suggesting a quick change in serum Tch and gradual changes in serum hepatic enzymes after menopause. These adverse changes in serum lipids and hepatic enzymes after menopause should be taken into consideration in industrial health care for middle-aged women.