The Metabolic Syndrome in Women

Abstract

The metabolic syndrome, an increasingly prevalent disorder, is known to significantly enhance the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The syndrome is defined by a constellation of cardiac risk factors that include obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance. There are several unique features of the metabolic syndrome in women. An insulin-resistant state associated with both polycystic ovarian syndrome and increased abdominal fat may contribute to the development of the metabolic syndrome and increase cardiovascular risk when present. Menopause heralds a decline in circulating estrogen levels, which may increase cardiovascular risk through effects on adiposity, lipid metabolism, and prothrombotic state. The key elements involved in managing the metabolic syndrome are dietary and lifestyle modification. Appropriate treatment may also include managing individual cardiac risk factors with the use of antihypertensive and lipid-modifying agents among others.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Effect of Hormone Profile in Postmenopausal Patients

“…There are studies indicating a 58% decrease in metabolic syndrome and diabetes incidence by losing 5% weight through regular exercise (31)(32)(33). Although a therapeutic lifestyle change is the first line of treatment for metabolic syndrome, it may be necessary to add antihypertensive and antilipidemic agents for the purpose of individual cardiac risk factor administration (34).…”

Use of Ursodeoxycholic Acid on Post-menopausal Obesity, Hepatic steatosis and Plasma Profile as an Alternative Treatment for Hormone Replacement Therapy

“…Due to these hormonal changes, a woman enters in menopause period usually around 51 years old and varies during this period by hormone deficiency, as well as physiological and behavioural changes. Decreased circulating estrogen levels have several physiological consequences, including important changes in the metabolism that result in altered body fat distribution and increased risk of metabolic syndrome (Reis et al 2003;Cooke and Naaz 2004;Schneider et al 2006), with subsequent development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in women (Suzuki and Abdelmalek 2009). NAFLD is emerging as a risk factor for other diseases related to accumulation of fat in tissues and blood, especially cardiovascular diseases (Villanova et al 2005;Lobo 2008).…”

Relação da síndrome metabólica com o câncer de mama

“…É definida como um conjunto de fatores de riscos metabólicos que incluem obesidade abdominal, dislipidemia, hipertensão arterial e disglicemia 2 . Acomete aproximadamente 30% da população de mulheres acima dos 50 anos, com aumento de 3 vezes o risco de morbimortalidade por DCV [3][4][5] .…”