Comparison of Factors Which Influence the Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the factors which influence the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in pre- and post-menopausal women. We also investigated the association of menopause with arterial stiffness measured by baPWV. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 241 postmenopausal women who attended the health promotion center for a routine checkup. Simple and multiple regression analyses were performed to determine the parameters influencing baPWV in pre- and postmenopausal women. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent parameters related to increased of arterial stiffness. Results: Multiple regression analysis showed that diastolic blood pressure (DBP; ? = 0.402, P = 0.009) was identified as an independent determinant for baPWV in premenopausal women, and DBP (? = 0.329, P = 0.021) and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR; ? = 0.210, P = 0.016) were identified as independent determinants for baPWV in postmenopausal women. The odds ratio (95% CI) of menopause for a high baPWV was 2.666 (1.025∼6.937). Conclusion: The NLR is associated with arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women. Consequently, inflammation is thought to play a crucial role in increased arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women. Menopause is associated with a high baPWV, suggesting that changes in the concentrations of sex hormones during the menopausal transition may influence arterial stiffness in clinically healthy woope