Assessment of the levels of serum parathyroid hormone in rural postmenopausal women in Zuturung district, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

The physiological role of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in calcium homeostasis and the maintenance of bone mass in humans has been elucidated by several authors. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate basal PTH levels in premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women in Zuturung district, Kaduna state, Nigeria. One hundred and thirty-five subjects comprising of 38 premenopausal, 22 perimenopausal and 75 postmenopausal women were assessed. The subjects were selected based on some inclusion and exclusion criteria. After administering a questionnaire, anthropometrical parameters were determined using standard methods while five milliliters of blood were collected via venipuncture. The blood was transferred to plain bottles, centrifuged and serum PTH levels were determined using ELISA method at the Department of Chemical Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika. Results were presented as mean ± SD and data were analyzed using ANOVA with p<0.05 being considered as statistically significant. The study revealed that postmenopausal and perimenopausal women were more likely to be overweight (mean BMI 26.07±5.99 kg/m², 26.42±7.27kg/m² respectively) as compared with their premenopausal counterparts (25.18±3.48kg/m2); p<0.001. The postmenopausal and perimenopausal women also had a higher waist circumference (89.63±10.66cm, 92.19±11.91cm) as compared with the premenopausal women (83.73±8.00cm) p<0.001. Mean serum parathyroid hormone levels were slightly decreased among the postmenopausal subjects (2.25±1.88pg/ml) and perimenopausal (2.91±1.44pg/ml) as compared to the premenopausal subjects (3.38±3.48pg/ml) although not significant (p>0.05). These findings suggest a higher cardiovascular risk and lower mean serum parathyroid hormone in the postmenopausal women as compared with their premenopausal subjects.
We recommend further studies in a larger sample, comparing with women in urban regions and determining serum cadmium levels in the subjects to identify if its toxicity is responsible for the pattern of serum parathyroid hormone levels observed

Keywords: Body mass index, Menopause, Northern Nigeria, Osteoporosis, Parathyroid hormone Waist circumference, Zuturung