The importance of female reproductive history on self-reported sleep quality, mood, and urogenital symptoms in midlife.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the importance of reproductive history on somatic and psychological symptoms in midlife women. METHODS: A total of 503 women from 39 to 65 years of age were recruited from different localities in Slovakia. These were interviewed about their reproductive and menstrual history, sociodemographic background, and lifestyle and health status after submitting pretested questionnaires. All variables were measured by self-reporting, and multivariable logistic and ordinal regression analyses tested the associations. RESULTS: Women who experienced miscarriage had a greater likelihood of waking early and then sleeping poorly, and they also felt unattractive in midlife. Moreover, women with two or more miscarriages were four times more likely to experience this sleep symptom than those without miscarriage (odds ratio [OR], 4.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.70-10.38; P = 0.002). In addition, women with one or two children suffered significantly less often with severe depressed mood and lack of enjoyment than women with three and more children (lack of enjoyment: with one child, the OR was 0.39 [95% CI, 0.16-0.96; P = 0.041]; with two children, the OR was 0.47 [95% CI, 0.23-0.97; P = 0.040]; depressed mood: with one child, the OR was 0.32 [95% CI, 0.12-0.84; P = 0.021]). Finally, the premenopausal and perimenopausal women were less likely to experience severe vaginal dryness than those in postmenopause. CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional pilot study suggests that women's reproductive history, as determined by parity and miscarriage, may be relevant to their midlife health and well-being. Future research is warranted.

Contribution of environmental factors and female reproductive history to hypertension and obesity incidence in later life.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension (HT) and obesity, which are important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, are complex traits determined by multiple biological and behavioural factors. However, the role of female reproductive history in evaluating HT and obesity is still unclear. AIM: To investigate the long-term effects of reproductive factors on the probability of obesity and HT in later life after adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle behaviour factors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 503 women (39 - 65 years) were recruited from different localities in Slovakia. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to test the associations. RESULTS: Early menarche age of 11 years and under was associated with twice higher probability of obesity at midlife, independent of environmental confounders (OR = 2.27, CI = 1.35 - 3.81, p = 0.002). Breastfeeding (Bf) women had a lower likelihood of obesity in later life than non-Bf parous women, independent of environmental confounders (OR = 0.35, CI = 0.17 - 0.72, p = 0.004). Finally, age at menarche was associated with obesity-associated HT. CONCLUSION: Reproductive factors are significantly associated with obesity and obesity-associated HT in later life. The age at menarche and Bf can be risk factors for early identification of women with increased likelihood of adult cardiovascular risk.

Association of cytochrome P450 1B1 gene polymorphisms and environmental biomarkers with hypertension in Slovak midlife women.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the association of the Leu432Val and Asn453Ser CYP1B1 polymorphisms and selected environmental biomarkers with hypertension (HT) in Slovak midlife women. METHODS: We studied 575 women. Divided according to their blood pressure status: 255 with HT and 320 without HT. All data was obtained by using standard anthropometric, genetic methods and analyzed by regression models to adjust for HT risk factors such as age, obesity, smoking, and level of education. RESULTS: Our findings revealed that CYP1B1 Leu432Val polymorphism was associated with HT, whereas no association was found between Asn453Ser polymorphism and HT. Women with at least one Val allele had significantly higher odds of HT compared to women with the Leu/Leu genotype in the total sample (Exp(B) = 1.82, CI 1.16-2.84, P = 0.009). After dividing women by menopausal status and the presence of HT environmental risk factor, the association between CYP1B1 polymorphism and HT was observed in pre/perimenopausal women (Exp(B), 2.36; 95% CI 1.13-4.92; P = 0.02), smokers (Exp(B), 3.40; 95% CI 1.48-7.82; P = 0.004), abdominal obesity (Exp(B), 2.41; 95% CI 1.23-4.75; P = 0.01) and in women with only basic education (Exp(B), 4.20, 95% CI 1.12-15.71; P = 0.03). However, general linear models did not reveal a statistically significant interactions between CYP1B1, menopausal status, and HT risk factors and their common association with HT (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, we have provided novel data that supports the significant association of CYP1B1 Leu432Val gene polymorphism with HT in Slovak midlife women.

Association of the ESR1 polymorphism with menopause and MLXIPL genetic variant influence serum uric acid levels in Slovak midlife women.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines associations between the ESR1 (XbaI, PvuII) and the MLXIPL (rs3812316) gene polymorphisms, and uric acid (UA) levels in Slovak midlife women, subdivided according to their menopause status. METHODS: We assessed a total of 362 women from 38 to 65 years of age. Women were recruited from different localities in the western and middle parts of Slovakia. Participants were interviewed during their medical examination at local health centers. They were investigated with respect to a variety of aspects such as medical, anthropometrical, and lifestyle. Participants provided a blood sample for biochemical analyses and DNA genotyping. The MLXIPL gene (rs3812316 SNP variant) and ESR1 gene (PvuII and XbaI) genotypes were then detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Data were analyzed using general linear models and multiple linear regression analyses to adjust for risk factors elevating the UA level such as fat mass (FM), triglycerides (TGs) and creatinine. RESULTS: A positive association between MLXIPL and UA level was observed in the total sample of women after control for confounding covariates, including FM, TGs, and creatinine (P = 0.027). Women with the CC genotype had higher UA levels than the G-allele carriers (261.5 µmol/L ± 68.3 vs 241.1 µmol/L ± 55.1 P = 0.013). A statistically significant association was noticed between postmenopause status and the ESR1 XbaI genotype and their effect on UA (P = 0.028). The Bonferroni pairwise comparison determined that the G-allele carriers in the postmenopausal period had higher estimated UA marginal mean (269.7 µmol/L) than the AA-allele postmenopausal women (236.5 µmol/L) (P = 0.012). The estimated UA marginal mean showed a significant increasing trend according to the MS in G allele carriers (248.5 µmol/L in pre/peri-menopausal vs 269.7 µmol/L in postmenopausal, P = 0.009). In contrast, a decreasing trend was observed in AA carriers (250.6 µmol/L in pre/perimenopausal women vs 236.5 µmol/L in postmenopausal). However, this trend was not statistically significant (P = 0.288). CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional study suggests that MLXIPL (rs3812316) polymorphism is associated with higher serum UA levels and that the ESR1 (XbaI) polymorphism is associated with UA levels only in the postmenopausal cohort.

Vasomotor, urogenital, psychological, and somatic symptoms in association with CYP1B1 polymorphisms in Slovak women of different menopausal status.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine if the Arg48Gly, Ala119Ser, Leu432Val, and Asn453Ser polymorphisms in the CYP1B1 estrogen-metabolizing gene are associated with menopausal symptom experience in healthy Slovak women aged 40-60 years. We also investigated the possible association of other factors with menopausal symptoms, including health status, physical activity, reproductive history, psychological status, and smoking. METHODS: The total sample consisted of 367 women (mean age 49.11 ± 5.86 years), encompassing 180 premenopausal (mean age 45.06 ± 3.81 years), 29 peri-menopausal (mean age 49.41 ± 3.94 years), and 158 postmenopausal (mean age 53.71 ± 4.54 years) women. The research comprised anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance analysis measurements (BIA), blood or saliva samples collected for DNA analysis, and a specific menopausal questionnaire. RESULTS: CYP1B1 Arg48Gly is significantly associated with vasomotor, psychological, and somatic symptoms. It appears that the Gly/Gly genotype is a risk factor during the postmenopause and protective in the pre- and peri-menopause. CYP1B1 Ala119Ser was associated with all menopausal symptoms, with the Ser/Ser genotype increasing risk in the premenopause and offering protection in the peri- and postmenopause. Polymorphisms Leu432Val and Asn453Ser gave unequivocal results; independent of menopausal status, the Leu/Leu genotype was associated with increasing risk of vasomotor, urogenital, and psychological symptoms and the Asn/Asn genotype provided a protective effect against psychological symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest possible associations of CYP1B1 polymorphisms with the occurrence and manifestation of particular menopausal symptoms in healthy mid-life Slovak women.

Genetic and Environmental Biomarkers Associated with Triglyceride Levels in Two Groups of Slovak Women.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the association between the MLXIPL gene polymorphism (rs3812316) and triglyceride (TG) levels and selected environmental biomarkers in Slovak women at risk for cardiovascular disease compared to a reference sample. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The studied sample consisted of 200 women at cardiovascular risk (mean age 52.96 ± 6.01 years) and 244 healthy women (mean age 47.52 ± 5.34 years). Participants gave details of their health and lifestyle during their medical examination, and peripheral blood samples were used for biochemical analyses and DNA genotyping. A nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay was used to detect the rs 3812316 SNP. RESULTS: We determined that there were significantly different genotype distributions in two TG categories: (1) subjects with normal TG values had a significantly higher G allele frequency than those with elevated TG levels (χ2 = 6.1556, df = 2, p = 0.046); and (2) the rare G allele frequency was 0.11 in the cardiovascular risk group and 0.15 in the reference group. Binary regression analysis showed that women with at least one G allele had a significantly lower relative risk of hypertriglyceridemia than women with the CC genotype (OR = 0.399, p = 0.022, 95% CI = 0.182-0.876). CONCLUSION: This cross-sectional study suggests that MLXIPL rs3812316 genotypes may be associated with TG levels. However, further analysis is advisable because of study limitations.

The association of Asn453Ser polymorphism in CYP1B1 gene with selected somatic and biochemical variables in Slovak women of different menopause status.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the CYP1B1 Asn453Ser polymorphism and selected somatic and biochemical variables, and atherogenic indices in premenopausal and postmenopausal Slovak women. METHODS: The studied sample consisted of 334 women; 188 premenopausal (mean age 45.73 ±â€Š3.77 y) and 146 postmenopausal women (mean age 53.51 ±â€Š4.52 y). The participants were interviewed during their medical examination. They provided a blood sample for biochemical analysis and DNA genotyping. RESULTS: The frequency of rare allele Ser (CYP1B14) was equal to 0.125 in premenopausal and 0.168 in postmenopausal women. The observed genotype frequencies were in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The Asn453Ser genotype showed statistically significant associations with a high-density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol) and apolipoprotein A1 levels in postmenopausal women. The mean values of the above mentioned variables were significantly higher in women carrying the Ser/Ser genotype. The general linear model analysis confirmed the results of the additive genetic model in postmenopausal women and demonstrated significant association of the Asn453Ser polymorphism with HDL-cholesterol levels also in premenopausal women (P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study revealed a significant association of the CYP1B1 Asn453Ser genotypes with the plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol and of apolipoprotein A1 in postmenopausal women and less unequivocal findings in premenopausal women. Because of study limitations, these results need to be examined in a larger study.

Menopausal complaints in Slovak midlife women and the impact of CYP1B1 polymorphism on their incidence.

A wide variety of symptoms have been attributed to menopause, negatively influencing women's physical and psychological health. In addition to lifestyle parameters and personal history, genetic factors are considered to be the main source of this variation. This study aims to investigate the incidence of menopausal symptoms among midlife women according to their menopausal status, and to evaluate the contribution to their manifestation from CYP1B1 Leu432Val polymorphism as a predisposing factor for menopausal symptoms. The studied cohort consisted of 299 women ranging from 39 to 59 years of age. Women were recruited from the western and middle parts of Slovakia, and all participants completed a menopause-specific questionnaire and provided blood or saliva samples for genotyping. Our results indicated that all women are at risk of typical menopausal symptoms, but there is a higher number of postmenopausal women affected than premenopausal ones. Regression analysis showed that the CYP1B1 Leu/Leu genotype can increase the experience of bloated stomach and facial hair increase in all the sampled women, while the Leu/Leu genotype may increase experience of palpitations and involuntary urination in the premenopausal women. The Leu/Leu genotype may increase the experience of nausea, bloated stomach, and vaginal dryness in peri- and postmenopausal women. We determined that women with the Leu/Leu, or Leu/Val genotypes were approximately five times more likely to suffer from vaginal dryness than the Val/Val women (OR = 4.948; 95% CI, 1.259-19.447). We therefore suggest that CYP1B1 Leu432Val polymorphism could be involved in individual susceptibility to menopausal symptoms in Slovak midlife women.