Background: Hyperlipidemia is one of the important risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease in post menopausal women.Our study compared the serum lipid profile and atherogenic index of plasma between premenopausal and post menopausal women.Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted in Kathmandu Medical College. A total number of 194 women in the age group 30 to 60 years were studied. They include 108 postmenopausal women and 86 premenopausal controls. Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were determined. Results: The mean value of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly increased in postmenopausal women when compared to premenopausal women. There was increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in postmenopausal women but the difference was not significant. The atherogenic index of plasma was increased in postmenopausal women (0.22 ± 0.25 mmol/l). This shows that postmenopausal women in our setting are at medium risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Atherogenic index of plasma was positively and significantly correlated with age (r= 0.29, p<0.05), body mass index (r=0.24, p<0.05), systolic blood pressure (r=0.20, p<0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (r=0.45, p<0.05).Conclusions: Postmenopausal women were at greater risk for developing cardiovascular disease when compared to premenopausal women due to increase in atherogenic lipid profile. There was a significant correlation of atherogenic index of plasma with age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.Keywords: Keywords: Atherogenic index of plasma; lipid profile; menopause.

Background: Uremic pruritus is a common and troublesome symptom of chronic kidney disease. It is one of the dominant dermatological manifestations of chronic kidney disease which affects the quality of life of patients. Objective: To assess the prevalence and severity of uremic pruritus in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Methodology: A prospective cross-sectional study was done over three months among chronic kidney patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis to show the association of mineral bone disorders with uremic pruritus. Patients complaining of pruritus were taken as cases and then pruritus was quantifi ed using a Visual Analogue Scale. Results: 144 patients participated in this study, out of which 41 (28.47%) were females. Mean age was 54.97±9.75 years and 68.06% patients were on dialysis. Uremic pruritus was seen in 80 patients (55.56%), amongst them 23 patients (28.75 %) had severe pruritus as measured by Visual Analogue Scale.Uremic pruritus was more frequent and more severe in patients having higher serum phosphorus levels (p =0.004). Conclusion: This study further substantiates the need of adequate control of phosphorus levels in hemodialysis patients to reduce complications like uremic pruritus.

Background: Hyperlipidemia is one of the important risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease  in post menopausal women.Our study compared the serum lipid profile and atherogenic index of plasma  between premenopausal and  post menopausal women.Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted in Kathmandu Medical College.  A total number of 194 women in the age group 30 to 60 years were studied. They include 108 postmenopausal women and 86 premenopausal controls. Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol  and triglycerides  were determined. Results: The mean value of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly increased in postmenopausal women when compared to premenopausal women. There was increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol  in postmenopausal women but the difference was not significant. The atherogenic index of plasma was  increased in postmenopausal women (0.22 ± 0.25 mmol/l). This shows that postmenopausal women in our setting are at medium risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Atherogenic index of plasma was positively and significantly correlated with age (r= 0.29, p<0.05), body mass index (r=0.24, p<0.05), systolic blood pressure (r=0.20, p<0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (r=0.45, p<0.05).Conclusions: Postmenopausal women were at greater risk for developing cardiovascular disease when compared to premenopausal women due to increase in atherogenic lipid profile. There was a significant correlation of atherogenic index of plasma  with age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure  and diastolic blood pressure.