PURPOSE: to evaluate the relationship between epidemiologic, anthropometric, reproductive and hormonal factors and mammographic density in postmenopausal women. METHODS: this is a retrospective, cross-sectional study, including 144 women aged 45 years or more, with at least 12 months of amenorrhea and who were non users of hormone replacement therapy during the last six months. Medical charts were reviewed to evaluate age, weight, body mass index (BMI), parity, age at menarche, age at menopause and levels of estradiol, follicle stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing hormones. Mammograms were analyzed by two blinded investigators. The films were taken in the craniocaudal and mediolateral views and mammography was classified as dense and nondense, according to the Wolfe criteria. For statistical analysis, the frequency, median, minimum and maximum values, the Wilcoxon test and the odds ratio were used. Multiple logistic regression was performed, using the stepwise selection, with a 5% significance level. RESULTS: the frequency of dense breasts was 45%. Women with dense breasts were of lower weight (60.5 vs. 71.9 kg - p<0.01), had a lower BMI (25.9 vs 31.0 kg/m² - p<0.01), a shorter time since onset of menopause (6.0 vs 10 years - p<0.01) and higher levels of FSH (75.2 vs 60.3 mU/mL - p<0.01). The probability of having dense breasts decreased in women whose weight was 67 kg or more (OR = 4.0, CI 95% = 1.50-10.66), BMI was higher than 30 kg/m² (OR = 6.69, CI 95% = 1.67-36.81), time since onset of menopause was superior or equal to seven years (OR = 2.05, CI 95% = 1.05-3.99) and FSH levels were lower than 134.8 mU/mL. CONCLUSION: weight, BMI, parity, time since menopause and FSH levels were significantly associated with mammographic density patterns.
Mammographic density; Menopause; Body mass index; Mammography; Breast cancer
