Aim:The present observational, cross-sectional prospective study was conducted during the period of 1 year in one of the rural health centers to study prevalence of conventional cardiovascular disease risk factors (CVRFs) in postmenopausal women.Materials and Methods:Five hundred consecutive postmenopausal women were screened for detailed information regarding common menopausal symptoms, the presence or absence of conventional CVRFs. Physical activity was measured, and dietary lifestyle was also assessed. Use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other drugs were also noted. Knowledge regarding their menopause was also evaluated.Results:Mean age at menopause was 49.35 years, Mean number of menopausal symptoms was 6.70 ± 5.76, and mean duration since menopause was (MDSM = 4.70 years)). Fatigue, lack of energy (70%), cold hand and feet, rheumatology-related symptoms (60%) cold sweats, weight gain, irritability, and nervousness (50%), palpitation of heart, excitable/anxiety (30%) each were common complaints. Hypertension was diagnosed or a person was a known hypertensive (56%). Diabetes was diagnosed or a person was known diabetic in 21%, and BMI was found to be 25 kg/m2 in 78%. Truncal obesity with waist-hip ratio >0.8 in 68% females, whereas abdominal obesity with waist size >88 cm was in 60% women. Dyslipidemia was seen in 39%. It was defined by the presence of high TC (=200 mg/dL) in 30%, high LDL-c (=130 mg/dL) in 27%, low HDLc (<40 mg/dL) in 21% or high TG (=150 mg/dL) in 31%. Metabolic syndrome was present in 13% of cases. CRP was found positive in 12 out of 39 total evaluated women, and serum uric acid was found >6.5 mg/dL in 4%. Smoking (0.5%), alcohol (0%,), tobacco chewing (4%), and family history of premature heart disease (9%) were recorded. Lifestyle was active in 35%, hectic in 10%, and sedentary in 55% of postmenopausal women (PMWs). Only 5% of women were receiving HRT, 0.5% isoflavone-containing phytoestrogens, 0.4% tibolone, 24% anti-HT, 9% anti-diabetic, 8% lipid-lowering drugs, and only three patients were on anti-obesity along with dietary and lifestyle management. Out of 68 patients, who were advised for electrocardiography (ECG), 23 were found positive for ischemic changes on ECG and out of 12 women advised for treadmill test (TMT), only four were found positive for ischemic heart disease (IHD). Risk factor count of more than four was found in 11%. Over all 96% of women were affected by menopause or related problems. Only 9% were aware about their menopause, 3% for importance of lifestyle modification, weight and dietary management programs to ameliorate menopause or menopause-compounded CVRFs.Conclusion:This study showed alarmingly high prevalence of most of the conventional CVRFs, especially diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and other risk factors in postmenopausal women from rural areas.

Although specific gene polymorphisms and haplotypes have been identified, it is difficult to come to a conclusion on the basis of the existing literature. Several sources of bias have been identified in these studies, and the results cannot be extrapolated to the general population. More studies are needed in larger populations of different ethnicities. Gene-gene interactions and gene expression studies in the future may delineate the exact role of these gene polymorphisms in ACL tears.

Osteoporosis and obesity are worldwide health problems. Interestingly, both are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Both the diseases have common linkage as bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells are the common precursors for both osteoblasts and adipocytes. Aging may shift composition of bone marrow by increasing adipocytes, osteoclast activity, and decreasing osteoblast activity, resulting into osteoporosis. Adipocytes secret leptin, adiponectin, adipsin, as well as proinflammatory cytokines, that contributes in pathogenesis of osteoporosis. This new concept supports the hypothesis, that the positive correlation of weight and body mass index (BMI) with bone mineral density (BMD) is not confirmed by large population-based studies. Thus, the previous concept, that obesity is protective for osteoporosis may not stand same as bone marrow fat deposition (adipogenesis) seen in obesity, is detrimental for bone health.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a major public health problem, associated with substantial morbidity and socio-economic burden. An early detection can help in reducing the fracture rates and overall socio-economic burden in such patients. AIM: The present study was carried out to screen the bone status (osteopenia and osteoporosis) above the age of 25 years in urban women population in this region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hospital based study was carried out in 158 women by calculating T-scores utilizing calcaneal QUS as diagnostic tool. RESULTS: The result suggested that a substantial female population had oesteopenia and osteoporosis after the age of 45 years. The incidence of osteoporosis was (20.25%) and osteopenia (36.79%) with maximum number of both osteoporosis and osteopenic women recorded in the age group of (55-64 years). After the age of 65 years, there was an almost 100% incidence of either osteopenia or osteoporosis, indicating that it increases with age and in postmenopausal period, thereby suggesting lack of estrogenic activity might be responsible for this increasing trend. Religion, caste and diet had an influence on the outcome of osteopenic and osteoporosis score in present study, but still it has to be substantiated by conducting larger randomized clinical trials in future. CONCLUSION: A substantial female population was screened for osteoporosis and osteopenia using calcaneal QUS method utilizing same WHO T score criteria that otherwise shall remain undiagnosed and face the complications and menace of osteoporosis.

Aim and Objective:To analyze the menopause-related symptoms and its impact on quality of life in post-menopausal women from urban and rural area.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional 1-year study was carried among women of urban (n = 490) and rural (n = 380) areas, attending the outpatient department in the urban area and a house-to-house survey in rural areas, by interviews with the help of a pretested semi-structured standard questionnaire. For assessment of the menopausal symptoms menopause rating scale (MRS) and for quality of life, World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHO QOL-BREF) questionnaire was used.Results:There was a significant difference between the MRS total scores of the urban (14.67 ± 6.64) and rural (16.08 ± 7.65) group. The somatic, psychological, and urogenital symptoms were high in rural women than in urban women. The results were not significant for urogenital subscale. The mean raw scores of physical health, psychological, social relationships, and environmental domains was more in urban than in rural women. The mean transformed scores (4-20) of physical health, psychological, social relationships, and environmental domains was more in urban than in rural women. The mean transformed scores (0-100) including the physical health, psychological, social relationships, and environmental domains was more in urban than in rural women. The result was not significant for physical health.Conclusion:The high proportions and the scores of MRS were observed in both rural and the urban women. The severity of symptoms was found more distressing for rural women. The quality of life in urban society was average and better than in rural women.