AIMS/INTRODUCTION: A younger age at menarche is associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes in adult life. The impact of early onset menarche on obesity and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes has not been investigated. This study examined the relationship between age at menarche and obesity and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 2,133 patients with type 2 diabetes aged ≥20 years were divided into groups according to age at menarche (≤11 years, 12 years, 13 years, 14 years, and ≥15 years). A retrospective cohort study examined the association of menarcheal age with adiposity and HbA.
RESULTS: Age at menarche was inversely associated with body mass index (BMI) and abdominal circumference (P<0.001). Each 1-year decrease in age at menarche was associated with a 0.25 kg/mand 0.6 cm increase in BMI and abdominal circumference, respectively, using a multivariate-adjusted model. Odds ratios for obesity and abdominal obesity significantly increased in participants with age at menarche ≤11 years after multivariable adjustments when age at menarche of 13 years was used as the reference (odds ratio: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.33-2.88, odds ratio: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.32-2.87, respectively). Younger age at menarche was significantly associated with higher HbA(P<0.001); however, the association was not statistically significant after adjusting for BMI.
CONCLUSIONS: Age at menarche of ≤11 years was associated with obesity after adjusting for confounding factors, and poor glycemic control associated with high BMI in type 2 diabetes. Age at menarche should be considered during clinical assessments. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
a2040-1124