The Prevelence of Dyslipidemia among Postmenopausal Women in Bangalore (Urban Area)

Objectives: Dyslipidemia is a key independent modifiable risk factor for Cardiovascular Disease. This study
was designed to investigate the current epidemiological features of dyslipidemia among postmenopausal
women in Bangalore.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 healthy postmenopausal women, fasting blood
obtained for testing lipid levels. Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
cholesterol were measured using enzymatic procedures. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
concentration was estimated by Friedewald formula. Questionnaire -cum- interview method was used to
obtain relevant information. Dyslipidemia was identified based on serum lipids levels following the standards
proposed by the NCEP ATP III.
Results: The results showed that 47.6% had high TC (=200mg/dl), 54.8% had low HDL-C(<50mg/dl), 56.4%
had high LDL-C(=130mg/dl), and 24.4% had high TG(=150mg/dl) concentrations. Prevalence of lipid
abnormality (including borderline dyslipidemia and dyslipidemia) was 47.2%, 50.8%, 54.8% and 20.4% for
TC, HDL-C, LDL-C and TG, respectively. Thus, this study observed an alarmingly higher prevalence of lipid
abnormality in a large number of postmenopausal women.
Conclusions: The prevalence of dyslipidemia, based primarily on the presence of high cholesterol and high
LDL-C, was observed in the study population. Intervention will help in management of dyslipidemia, which is
a cornerstone in the prevention of both primary and secondary cardiovascular events.