Worldwide, the age-standardised prevalence of diabetes in
women has increased substantially from 5.0% in 1980 to 7.9%
in 2014, and is projected to reach 10.4% by 2025.1 Type 2 diabetes
(T2D) is a multifactorial disease involving both modifi-
able (e.g. obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets) and
non-modifiable risk factors (such as age, sex, family history
of diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome).2 According to a
meta-analysis of 43 studies, T2D was positively associated
with testosterone levels but inversely associated with sex
hormoneebinding globulin (SHBG) in women,3 so that
menopausal status may play a role in its development. However,
the available epidemiological evidence remains inconsistent.4
Moreover, the age at natural menopause is known to
be lower in Asian women (49 years) than their Caucasian
counterparts (51 years),5 but few studies on menopausal status
have been conducted in Asian countries.4 This study
aimed to investigate the relationship between menopausal
status and T2D among women in Vietnam, where their estimated
T2D prevalence is almost 5.0%,6 taking into account the
influence of chronological ageing and adiposity.7