Visceral adiposity after tibolone use

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the differences in visceral fat between women using tibolone and those not using tibolone.

Methods: Sixty-five healthy postmenopausal women were included in the study: 26 who were taking tibolone (2.5 mg/day); and 39 who were not receiving tibolone treatment. Anthropometric measurements were performed, with subcutaneous and visceral fat measured via ultrasound. Differences between the groups were determined via Student t test.

Results: There were no significant differences in age (P=0.796), weight (P=0.256), height (P=0.456), body mass index (P=0.08), waist circumference (P=0.420), or waist-hip ratio (P=0.1) between the groups. Hip circumference was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (97.7 ± 12.2 cm vs 103 ± 8.1cm; P<0.04). There were no significant differences between the groups in subcutaneous fat measurements (P=0.56). There were significantly lower visceral fat measurements (2.8 ± 1.1cm vs 3.9 ± 1.6 cm; P<0.004) and a significantly lower visceral fat-subcutaneous fat ratio (1.1 ± 0.3 vs 1.5 ± 0.7; P<0.005) in the study group than in the control group.

Conclusion: Postmenopausal women who use tibolone have lower visceral fat measurements than do woman of similar age who do not use tibolone.