This four-year continuation proposes to add three data points, 9-10 months apart (T4-T6, to the four already completed (T0-T3), in order to complete a unique prospective study of a cohort of 427 pre-and peri- menopausal women aged 50-60 years (80% were aged 50-55 years) in 1986 when data collection began. The primary research questions for the proposed continuation are: 1) How do decreases in endogenous hormones affect levels in total cholesterol and lipid fractions in normal women undergoing a natural menopause; 2) How do transmenopausal changes in sex hormones interact with other cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, body mass, diet components, smoking); and 3) Are there pre-disposing, pre-menopausal or menopausal factors which increase post-menopausal CVD risk independently of estrogen changes (for example, timing of menopause, length of peri- menopause)? To address these questions, prospective data are being collected on: FSH, LH, Estradiol, Estrone, SHBG, DHEA-S, Total Cholesterol, HDL-C, HDL-1, HDL-2, Apo-A1, Apo-B, Serum Glucose, Blood Pressure, BMI, current drug use, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, sexual function, and other pertinent health and lifestyle information. The unique features of this study include: sufficient numbers and follow-up period to reliably estimate transmenopausal changes in hormones and lipids and their association; cohort of women which represents U.S. women in the age group 50-60 and which has known representation of Massachusetts women from which it was sampled; information on key covariates (smoking, BMI) with which to adequately adjust estimates and associations: and the expertise to fully analyze these longitudinal data using the latest random effects modelling approaches.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AG011431-04
Application #
2052621
Study Section
Biological and Clinical Aging Review Committee (BCA)
Project Start
1992-09-30
Project End
1996-08-31
Budget Start
1995-09-01
Budget End
1996-08-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
New England Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
153914080
City
Watertown
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02472