Menopausal transition linked to depression
Bromberg et al, Journal of Affective Disorders 2007;103:267-72

Women are 70% more likely to suffer depression during the menopause than when they are pre-menopausal. Depressive symptoms seen in many women during the menopause are a direct effect of the menopausal transition and are independent of psychosocial, behavioural and health factors.

For this study, Joyce Bromberg et al from University of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, USA studied 3302 pre-menopausal women aged 47-52 years.

They found that women were 30% more likely to suffer significant depression in the early peri-menopausal phase than when pre-menopausal, rising to 70% in the late peri-menopausal phase.

The findings were independent of potential confounding factors such as attitudes towards menopause, perceived health, vasomotor symptoms, medication use, social support and very stressful events.

Health care providers need to be aware of and sensitive to the potential vulnerability of women to elevated depressive symptoms during and after the menopause transition.

Posted 9 October 2007

 

Inflammatory markers predict postmenopausal vascular events
Corrado et al, Menopause 2007; Advanced online publication

This study explores the association between markers of inflammation and adverse events in postmenopausal women with sub-clinical atherosclerosis.

Clinicians may be able to detect postmenopausal women who are likely to develop cardiovascular disease by measuring their levels of fibrinogen and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Egle Corrado et al from University of Palermo in Italy found that the 2 markers of inflammation predicted the 5-year and 6 month risk for vascular disease. They may have important implications for screening subjects at risk for cardiovascular disease and identifying candidates for anti-inflammatory therapy. The study looked at 250 postmenopausal women who were free of cardiovascular disease.

Over the 5-year follow-up period, 63% of women developed asymptomatic carotid lesions.

Multivariate analysis showed that cardio and cerebro-vascular events were more likely to occur over the 5 years in women older than 69 years compared to younger women (OR = 1.7), and those with carotid atherosclerotic lesions (OR=2.0) and increased levels of fibrinogen (OR=1.6) and hs-CRP (OR=1.5).

The findings suggest a significant doe-dependent association between age, inflammatory markers, and carotid atherosclerosis in women asymptomatic for vascular disease.

Posted 8 October 2007

 

Low Fat diet reduces post-menopausal ovarian cancer risk
Prentice et al, Journal of National Cancer Institute 2007; 99: 1534-43

Postmenopausal women can decrease their risk for ovarian cancer by eating a low-fat diet, study findings suggest. For the current study, Ross Prentice et al from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre, Seattle Washington, USA looked at the effects of diet modification on ovarian cancer and endometrial cancers among 48,835 study participants.

In all, 19541 women ate a low-fat diet, comprising of at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and at least 6 servings of whole grains, with a total fat intake of 70 % of energy. The remaining women ate their usual diet.

The 2 groups had a similar risk of ovarian cancer over the first 4 years, but over the next 4 years, women eating a low-fat diet had a 40% reduced risk.

The risk for endometrial cancer did not differ between the 2 groups, and the risk for total invasive cancer was only slightly lower among women eating a low-fat diet, at a non-significant 5%.

Posted 10 October 2007

 

Postmenopausal women benefit from squats and foot stamping
Young et al, Osteoporosis International 2007;18: 1379-87

An exercise regime of regular squats and foot stamping improves strength and balance, as well as reducing bone loss in sedentary postmenopausal women, says investigators.

The researchers measured bone density, strength, and balance in 31 postmenopausal women undergoing different yearly exercise regimes.

Group 1 – a 45 minute line dancing session a week
Group 2 – did progressively loaded squats
Group 3 – did four foot stamps, twice daily 5 times per week.

Women in group 3 lost less proximal femur bone mineral density (PF BMD) at 0.5% compared with 3.1% and 0.8% in group 1 & 2 respectively.

Improvements in PF & calcaneus BMD were significantly associated with stamp compliance. Also, the team reports that 17% of the change in PF BMD among women in group 2 was attributed to their squatting exercise regime.

Among women in group 3, effective bone responses were attributed to increased balance and strength from their high squat performance and foot stamping, reports Cath Young et al (Griffith University, Queensland, Australia ).

Posted 11 October 2007