Clinical Usefulness of Lipid Ratios to Identify Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Perimenopausal/Menopausal Women
Pattama Tongdee MD*, Ryan A. Loyd MD**, Suksan Kanoksin MD***, Jantakan Kanjanawetang PhD****, Kaset Winwan MPolSc*****, Porntip Nimkuntod MD******
Affiliation : * School of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Medicine, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand **School of Family and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand *** School of Surgery, Institute of Medicine, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand **** School of Family Nursing and Midwifery, Institute of Nursing, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand ***** Research Assistance, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand ****** School of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
Background : Evidence shows that lipid ratios perform better than individual lipids in predicting cardiovascular risk. The
lipid ratio serves as a quick and simple tool for identifying subclinical atherosclerosis. The population at risk especially
perimenopausal and menopausal women should be monitoring to prevent cardiovascular disease in the future.
Objective : To examine the association between lipid ratios and subclinical atherosclerosis by carotid intima media thickness
(CIMT) in perimenopausal/menopausal women.
Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 130 participants aged 40 to 80 years between February
2015 and January 2016 in Suranaree University of Technology Hospital, Thailand. CIMTs were assessed using a high-
resolution B mode ultrasound system. Traditional anthropometry, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and
parameters including blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile [Total cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), High-
density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)], and CIMT were assessed in all
subjects. All lipid ratios were calculated.
Results : One hundred thirty perimenopausal/menopausal participants were included in this study. Of those participants, 41%
were central obese phenotype and 22% had abnormal CIMT that can identify atherosclerosis. Age and systolic blood
pressure in atherosclerosis group were higher than normal CIMT group; p<0.01 and p<0.01, respectively. Lipid ratio in
normal CIMT was higher than atherosclerotic group but not statistically significance except TG/HDL-C (p = 0.03). All lipid
ratios and single lipid parameters lacked prediction for the presence of early atherosclerosis.
Conclusion : All of lipid ratios, TC/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C were not identified as early subclinical
atherosclerosis among perimenopausal/menopausal women.
Keywords : Lipid ratio, Subclinical atherosclerosis, Perimenopausal women, Menopausal women
