Sex differences in cardiovascular risk factors independent of abdominal fat distribution

摘要

Objective - To investigate sex differences in cardiovascular risk factors within a healthy middle-aged population.Design - Cross-sectional, observational study.Setting - Primary health care in Dalby, Sweden.Participants - 19 males and 19 postmenopausal females, selected for normotension, and matched for age (58 years) and body mass index (26 kg/m2).Main outcome measures - At two visits, with a five year interval, subjects were investigated according to height, weight, and blood pressure (ambulant and in the doctor's surgery). The fat-free mass was calculated using the von Dobeln formula. Glucose metabolism was evaluated with an oral glucose tolerance test (glucose, insulin, C-peptide). Lipid levels, liver enzymes, and hormonal variables (cortisol, sex hormones) were also measured.Results - Males showed higher levels than females of glucose, insulin, triglycerides, and liver enzymes at the first visit, even after elimination of the influence of differences in weight. At the follow-up visit, males also had a higher 24-hour diastolic blood pressure than females (79.4 vs. 71.8 mm Hg; pcO.Ol), as well as higher triglyceride levels (1.45 vs. 0.95 mmol/l; p