Age at menarche and risk of premature coronary artery disease: results from Iran premature coronary disease (IPAD) study

Premature coronary artery diseases (PCAD) is a major health concern. Finding the potential risk factors for this health issue is crucial for early detection and prevention. This study aimed to evaluate the relation between age at menarche and PCAD presence and severity.

This study was performed in the framework of the Iran premature coronary disease (IPAD). IPAD is a multiethnic case–control study conducted from 2020. PCAD was defined as at least 75% obstruction in more than one coronary artery or above 50% in the left main artery in man and women under the age of 60 years and 70 years, respectively. Age at menarche is evaluate using self-reporting questionnaire. We categorized age at menarche into three groups: early (8–11 years), average (12–13 years), and late (14–17 years).

A total number of 1035 women participated in this study. No significant association was observed between every year increase in age at menarche and the PCAD risk after fully adjustment with odds ratio (OR) 95% confidence interval (95% CI) OR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.91–1.05, P = 0.65 Besides, no significant association was seen between number of obstructed vessels and age at menarche (OR = 1.01; 95% CI 0.94–1.08, P = 0.76). Following the subgroup analysis based on ethnicity, it was observed that only individuals of Gilak ethnicity showed a significant association between a 1-year increase in age at menarche and the risk of PCAD (OR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.49–0.95, P = 0.026).

This study suggested that age at menarche may not be connected to PCAD risk and number of obstructed vessels. However, ethnicity may have roles in terms of the relationship between age at menarche and PCAD. More longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate this relationship.

IR.MUI.REC.1396.2.055.