The change of blood lead levels in menopausal women and its association with relevant factors

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study assessed blood lead in women in relation to menopause and its association with other related relevant factors to evaluate the impact of menopausal status on blood lead levels in women. MethodsEighty three menopausal women and 52 premenopausal women without known occupational lead exposure were included. Blood lead was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Lutenizing hormone (LH) were measured in addition to hemoglobin, hematocrit and body mass index as an study variables. Information on smoking and drinking status were also obtained. ResultsThe mean (95% confidence intervals) level of blood lead in menopausal women was 2.27 μg/dL (2.12-2.41 μg/dL) which was signifi cantly higher than premenopausal women (1.89 μg/dL, 1.76-2.02 μg/dL), but there was no statistical difference of mean blood levels between perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. In a multivariate regression analysis after adjusting for age, body mass index hemoglobin, drinking and smoking status, only menopausal status was a signifi cant predictor of increases in log transformed blood lead without any signifi cant contribution of FSH and LH. ConclusionThese results confi rmed that menopausal status was associated with signifi cant increase of blood lead levels in Korean women who were not occupationally exposed to lead.