The association between metabolic syndrome and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis in menopausal women: a cross-sectional study in a Chinese population

BACKGROUND: To examine the association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) with carotid artery stenosis (CAS), especially in menopausal women in China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of menopause women aged ≥40 years were enrolled from the Jidong community of Tangshan City between 2013 and 2014 to examine the association between MetS and CAS. Logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the association between MetS and the presence of CAS. RESULTS: A total of 762 menopause women with mean age 59.3±5.6 years were enrolled in our analysis. Of all the people, 111 participants in CAS group (n=159) and 297 participants in no CAS group (n=603) were diagnosed with MetS meantime. Menopausal women with MetS had increased risk of CAS (OR, 2.383; 95% CI, 1.639–3.464), and the association was further verified by adjusting for confounding factors (OR, 1.949; 95% CI, 1.269–2.994). In addition, age, physical activity (never or moderate), body mass index (>24 kg/m(2)), and family income (<3,000 RMB) were independent important factors to CAS development in those with MetS. CONCLUSION: MetS is associated with CAS especially in women after menopause.