Abstract
Background: Obesity is a most important disorder associated with menopause. The mechanisms of the increase in body weight after menopause are not clearly understood. Earlier studies reported that the changes in sex hormone levels at menopause may have adverse effects on kidney function. The renoprotection activity of female sex hormones seems to decrease after menopause.

Aim and Objectives: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate body mass index (BMI) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) along with fasting blood glucose, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol in healthy pre- and postmenopausal women with or without diabetes.

Materials and Methods: A total of 92 subjects including 37 non-diabetic, 15 diabetic premenopausal women, and 25 diabetic and 15 non-diabetic postmenopausal women were included in the study. For all the subjects, BMI was calculated using height (cm) and weight (kg) and recorded as kg/m2. Fasting blood samples were collected for glucose estimation by GOD/POD method, serum creatinine by Jaffe’s method, and FSH and estradiol were estimated by ELISA method using commercial kits. A simplified MDRD equation was used to estimate GFR (mL/min/1.73 m2) = 186 × [serum creatinine] − 1.154 × [age] − 0.203 (× 0.742 if female). Values were reported as mean ± standard deviation. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey‒Kramer post hoc test using SPSS version 20 and P < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant at 95% confidence interval.

Results: Results of the study showed that BMI was higher and eGFR was significantly reduced in postmenopausal women with and without diabetes compared to premenopausal women with or without diabetes.

Conclusion: The study was concluded that the observed increased BMI and reduced eGFR in postmenopausal women need lifestyle changes to control BMI and measures to improve kidney function are to be considered to improve quality of life in postmenopausal women.

Key words: Body Mass Index; Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate; Follicle-stimulating Hormone; Estradiol; Menopause; Diabetes