Dataset Information

Variability of bothersome menopausal symptoms over time--a longitudinal analysis using the Estonian postmenopausal hormone therapy trial (EPHT).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Very little data are available on the natural course or level of disturbance of vasomotor symptoms among middle-aged women. Using readily collected trial data we studied the persistence of vasomotor symptoms among untreated women.

Methods

In a trial comparing combined hormone therapy to placebo or no treatment (control groups), a cohort of women aged 50-59 at recruitment were followed annually by questionnaires. Women in the control groups (n = 486) were grouped by the number of years followed, with the prevalence and severity of symptoms calculated both cross-sectionally and longitudinally.

Results

About two thirds of the women (67%) reported vasomotor symptoms and half (46%) bothersome symptoms at recruitment. In the cross-sectional analysis, their prevalence declined between recruitment and 1-year follow-up (32% bothersome symptoms) and 2-year follow-up (27%). Thereafter it remained about the same level. In the longitudinal analysis, there was a notable variation in the prevalence of disturbing vasomotor symptoms over time, time entering the study and the compliance to the surveys. In the two groups having most follow-up times, the proportion of women with bothersome symptoms first increased and then decreased.

Conclusions

There was a notable variability in the development of disturbing vasomotor symptoms over time in a selected group of women aged 50-59. Population-based follow-up studies of untreated women would be useful to estimate the symptom burden.

SUBMITTER: Hemminki E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3542280 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Variability of bothersome menopausal symptoms over time--a longitudinal analysis using the Estonian postmenopausal hormone therapy trial (EPHT).

Hemminki Elina E Regushevskaya Elena E Luoto Riitta R Veerus Piret P

BMC women's health 20121221

<h4>Background</h4>Very little data are available on the natural course or level of disturbance of vasomotor symptoms among middle-aged women. Using readily collected trial data we studied the persistence of vasomotor symptoms among untreated women.<h4>Methods</h4>In a trial comparing combined hormone therapy to placebo or no treatment (control groups), a cohort of women aged 50-59 at recruitment were followed annually by questionnaires. Women in the control groups (n = 486) were grouped by the ...[more]

PMID: 23259658

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Project description:BackgroundBody image is the main element of an individual's personality that may be influenced by many factors during menopause. We aimed to assess the relationship between postmenopausal women's body image with the severity of menopausal symptoms.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study on 300 postmenopausal women, aged 45 to 65 years old, in Tehran, Iran. We recruited the samples using the multi-stage sampling method. Tools for data collection were: 1) the Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS), 2) the Fisher's Body Image questionnaire and 3) a socio-demographic questionnaire. We analyzed data using the independent samples t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient, Spearman's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression tests.ResultsThree hundred women aged 55.11 ± 3.99 years old, participated in the study. Mean scores for body image and MRS were 163.07 ± 21.17 (Range: 46-230) and 16.45 ± 8.38 (Range: 0-44), respectively. About 50% of women had severe symptoms of menopause (MRS score ≥ 17). There was a negative correlation between the total score and the score of all dimensions of body image with the total score and all dimensions of MRS (P < 0.001). There were also significant relationships between women's body image with: their education (P < 0.001, r = 0.20) the spouse's education (P < 0.001, r = 0.26), adequacy of monthly household income (P < 0.001, r = 0.32), marital status (P = 0.36), their occupation (P = 0.007) and housing status (P = 0.012). There was also a significant negative correlation between women's lower body organs image with the number of children (P = 0.017, r = - 0.14). According to the multiple linear regressions model, severity of menopausal symptoms (Beta = - 0.45, P < 0.001) and adequacy of monthly household income (Beta = 0.15, P = 0.005) are the significant related factors with postmenopausal women's body image.ConclusionsBody image is correlated with menopausal symptoms of women during menopause. Therefore, it seems that interventions aimed at relieving the annoying symptoms of menopause can help to improve their body image. Also, body image could be influenced by some socio-demographic factors which should be considered in menopause health promotion programs.

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Project description:ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of a standardised brief acupuncture approach for women with moderate-to-severe menopausal symptoms.DesignRandomised and controlled, with 1:1 allocation to the intervention group or the control group. The assessor and the statistician were blinded.SettingNine Danish primary care practices.Participants70 women with moderate-to-severe menopausal symptoms and nine general practitioners with accredited education in acupuncture.InterventionThe acupuncture style was western medical with a standardised approach in the predefined acupuncture points CV-3, CV-4, LR-8, SP-6 and SP-9. The intervention group received one treatment for five consecutive weeks. The control group was offered treatment after 6 weeks.Main outcome measuresOutcomes were the differences between the randomisation groups in changes to mean scores using the scales in the MenoScores Questionnaire, measured from baseline to week 6. The primary outcome was the hot flushes scale; the secondary outcomes were the other scales in the questionnaire. All analyses were based on intention-to-treat analysis.Results36 participants received the intervention, and 34 participants were in the control group. Four participants dropped out before week 6. The acupuncture intervention significantly decreased hot flushes: Δ -1.6 (95% CI [-2.3 to -0.8]; p<0.0001), day-and-night sweats: Δ -1.2 (95% CI [-2.0 to -0.4]; p=0.0056), general sweating: Δ -0.9(95% CI [-1.6 to -0.2]; p=0.0086), menopausal-specific sleeping problems: Δ -1.8 (95% CI [-2.7 to -1.0]; p<0.0001), emotional symptoms: Δ -3.4 (95% CI [-5.3 to -1.4]; p=0.0008), physical symptoms: Δ -1.7 (95% CI [-3 to -0.4]; p=0.010) and skin and hair symptoms: Δ -1.5 (95% CI [-2.5 to -0.6]; p=0.0021) compared with the control group at the 6-week follow-up. The pattern of decrease in hot flushes, emotional symptoms, skin and hair symptoms was already apparent 3 weeks into the study. Mild potential adverse effects were reported by four participants, but no severe adverse effects were reported.ConclusionsThe standardised and brief acupuncture treatment produced a fast and clinically relevant reduction in moderate-to-severe menopausal symptoms during the six-week intervention. No severe adverse effects were reported.Trial registration numberNCT02746497; Results.

Dataset Information

Variability of bothersome menopausal symptoms over time--a longitudinal analysis using the Estonian postmenopausal hormone therapy trial (EPHT).

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Variability of bothersome menopausal symptoms over time--a longitudinal analysis using the Estonian postmenopausal hormone therapy trial (EPHT).

Similar Datasets

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