Postmenopausal status and early menopause as independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis

Loss of ovarian function and subsequent deficiency of endogenous estrogens is suggested to enhance cardiovascular disease risk and related death after menopause. The aim was to obtain valid estimates of the cardiovascular disease risk associated with postmenopausal status and early menopause.

A literature search of observational studies was performed using PubMed and EMBASE (1966 to May 1, 2004). Eighteen studies on postmenopausal status and age at menopause in relation to cardiovascular disease were selected. Six studies investigated menopausal status, nine studies investigated menopausal age, and three studied both. General variance-based methods were used to pool relative risk estimates and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Stratification was performed for study design, type of menopause, outcome, and adjustment for age and smoking.