01
Research details
This study aims to assess whether the time of menarche is associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes in rural Chinese women and to estimate the proportion of patients who may be associated with obesity.
The study indicates that for every year that menarche is delayed, the risk of type 2 diabetes decreases by 6%.
This cohort study included postmenopausal women in rural China. Age of menarche was provided by the women themselves, ranging from 8 to 22 years. The research team stratified women based on age of menarche. Type 2 diabetes was diagnosed using fasting blood glucose levels according to American Diabetes Association guidelines, or as provided by the patients themselves. Cases of type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and diabetes from other known causes were excluded.
Of the 15,346 postmenopausal women included, 12.6% were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Compared to women whose menarche was closer to the overall average (16 to 17 years old), women with earlier menarche were more likely to be overweight, consume high-fat diets, and have higher incomes. On the other hand, women with later menarche had lower body mass index (BMI), consumed less alcohol, smoked less, and had lower incomes.
After adjusting for influencing factors, the analysis revealed that the earlier menarche group (≤14 years old) had a higher risk of type 2 diabetes (OR = 1.21; 95% CI 1.06–1.38, P = 0.004). Compared with the control group (16–17 years old), the later menarche group (≥19 years old) had a lower risk of developing T2DM (OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.66–0.92, P = 0.003). BMI mediated the relationship between age of menarche and T2DM to some extent, with an influence ratio of 28%.
02
Experts say
Stephanie Faubion, medical director of the North American Menopause Medicine Association, pointed out that this study from rural Chinese women shows that the age of menarche in Chinese women is later than that in Western countries, at about 16.1 years old, which is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.
Faubion states that earlier menarche (age 14 or younger) is associated with diabetes later in life, possibly due to adult BMI. Other factors, such as nutrition and childhood BMI, may also play a role.
While the underlying mechanisms of this correlation are not yet clear, researchers point out that previous studies have shown that menarche is associated with elevated C-reactive protein levels and fasting and postprandial blood glucose.
Elevated CRP levels are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, and it plays an indirect role in insulin resistance through adipose tissue.
Researchers point out that these findings may help identify women at increased risk of diabetes.
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