EVALUATION OF SOME INFLAMMATORY AND MUSCLE MARKERS IN PREMENOPAUSAL AND POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Background: Menopause is associated with an array of metabolic changes which results into the appearance of inflammatory conditions. Objectives: The study evaluated the levels of some inflammatory markers; C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and uric acid. The muscle markers evaluated were creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate transaminase (AST) as well as body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (Bp) in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Method: The study is a case-controlled study involving 50 premenopausal and 50 postmenopausal women in Nnewi metropolis. In both study groups, anthropometric measurements including body mass index (Kg/m2) and blood pressure (mmHg) were carried out. Serum levels of uric acid, creatine kinase, C-reactive protein, aspartate transaminase, rheumatoid factor and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were measured using appropriate techniques. Results: The result showed significant increase (p<0.05) in the mean serum levels of uric acid (μmol/L), CRP (mg/L), ESR mm/hr, and AST IU/L but no significant change was observed in creatine kinase in post menopausal women. A significant positive relationship was observed between CRP and BMI (r = 0.562; p<0.01), CRP and ESR (r = 0.553; p<0.01). The prevalence of positive rheumatoid factor among postmenopausal women was determined as 16%. Conclusion: The study concluded that in postmenopausal women, there is significant increase in the levels of CRP, ESR and uric acid. There is also a significant positive relationship between CRP, ESR and BMI indicating that the degree of changes in metabolites and obesity might have a role in the mediation of inflammation in post menopausal women