The levels of FSH, LH and particularly of E2 differ substantially among ethnic groups of postmenopausal Asian women. The clinical significance, if any, of these differences remains to be investigated. The inverse correlation of E2 and FSH levels suggests that E2 at the postmenopausal state still affects pituitary FSH output.

The polymorphism of IL12B (1188A/C) appears to have some influence on the outcome of HCV infection.

The different lipid/lipoprotein profiles in the nine ethnic groups of postmenopausal Asian women evaluated here suggest a relationship to differences in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease reported for different regions in Asia. However, the reported prevalence data on cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality in the regions corresponding to the nine ethnic groups are insufficient to allow qualitative comparisons with the lipid profiles shown in our study. The lipid/lipoprotein changes in response to estrogen/progestin therapy observed here are consistent with those reported for Western women.

Baseline levels and hormonal responsiveness of two bone resorption markers, a bone formation marker, and a marker of cartilage degradation differ among the ethnic groups of Asian postmenopausal women evaluated in this study. The clinical significance of these findings remains to be investigated.