MPC Member Publications

This database contains a listing of population studies publications written by MPC Members. Anyone can add a publication by an MPC student, faculty, or staff member to this database; new citations will be reviewed and approved by MPC administrators.

Full Citation

Title: Abdominal adiposity and hot flashes among midlife women.

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2008

ISSN: 1072-3714

DOI: 10.1097/gme.0b013e31815879cf

PMID: 18204407

Abstract: OBJECTIVE Two competing hypotheses suggest how adiposity may affect menopausal hot flashes. The "thin hypothesis" asserts that aromatization of androgens to estrogens in body fat should be associated with decreased hot flashes. Conversely, thermoregulatory models argue that body fat should be associated with increased hot flashes. The study objective was to examine associations between abdominal adiposity and hot flashes, including the role of reproductive hormones in these associations. DESIGN The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation Heart Study (2001-2003) is an ancillary study to the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, a community-based cohort study. Participants were 461 women (35% African American, 65% white) ages 45 to 58 years with an intact uterus and at least one ovary. Measures included a computed tomography scan to assess abdominal adiposity; reported hot flashes over the previous 2 weeks; and a blood sample for measurement of follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, and sex hormone-binding globulin-adjusted estradiol (free estradiol index). Associations were evaluated within multivariable logistic and linear regression models. RESULTS Every 1-SD increase in total (odds ratio [OR]=1.28; 95% CI: 1.06-1.55) and subcutaneous (OR=1.30; 95% CI: 1.07-1.58) abdominal adiposity was associated with increased odds of hot flashes in age- and site-adjusted models. Visceral adiposity was not associated with hot flashes. Associations were not reduced when models included reproductive hormone concentrations. CONCLUSION Increased abdominal adiposity, particularly subcutaneous adiposity, is associated with increased odds of hot flashes, favoring thermoregulatory models of hot flashes. Body fat may not protect women from hot flashes as once thought.

Url: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18204407

Url: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=PMC2875947

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Thurston, Rebecca C; Sowers, Mary Fran; Sutton-Tyrrell, Kim; Everson-Rose, Susan A; Lewis, Tené T; Edmundowicz, Daniel; Matthews, Karen A

Periodical (Full): Menopause (New York, N.Y.)

Issue: 3

Volume: 15

Pages: 429-34

Countries:

IPUMS NHGIS NAPP IHIS ATUS Terrapop