Assessment of the frequency of sleep complaints and menopausal symptoms in climacteric women using the Jenkins Sleep Scale.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the frequency of sleep complaints (SC) and associated menopausal symptoms in climacteric women, apparently healthy, residing in three different capital cities of the Colombian Caribbean. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study which is part of the investigation project CAVIMEC [Calidad de Vida en la Menopausia y Etnias Colombianas]. Data were collected by interviewers, on a door-to-door visit. Healthy women residing in the Colombian Caribbean, 40-59 years old, were studied. Sociodemographic characteristics form and scales were applied: Menopause Rating Scale, Jenkins Sleep Scale, Perceived Psychological Stress (perceived stress), Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale, SCOFF scale (eating disorders), and Loneliness Scale by Hughes. The women were divided into two groups: with SC and without SC, according to the Jenkins scale result. Crude and adjusted logistic regressions were performed: SC (dependent variable) with sociodemographic characteristics and the results of the scales used (independent variables). RESULTS: Five hundred eighty-five women were studied. 16.5% with SC. No differences were observed in age, BMI, and high blood pressure. Proportionally more women with SC had depression, anxiety, perception of loneliness, severe menopausal symptoms, somatic, psychological, urogenital, and quality of life severe impairment (p<0.05). There were no differences in eating disorders and perceived stress. In the adjusted model, only depression was associated with SC, OR: 9.81 [95% CI: 1.29-74.3], p<0.05. CONCLUSION: SC were identified in 16.5% of the climacteric women of the Colombian Caribbean. In an adjusted model, probable depression was the only factor associated with SC.

Latin American position on the current status of hormone therapy during the menopausal transition and thereafter.

OBJECTIVE: Data from placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials conducted during the past few years resulted in critical re-evaluation of the overall health benefits of hormone therapy (HT) in women during the menopausal transition and thereafter. These data stimulated vigorous debate among experts and produced several position papers by North American and European authorities providing guidance on the use of HT. It is well known that cultural, geographic and ethnic differences influence the acceptance and risk perception of HT. Therefore, it was considered essential to present a position specifically relevant to Latin American countries. METHODS: A Latin American Expert Panel, convening in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, obtained consensus on recommendations for HT that incorporated the findings of the most recently published reports. The panelists' opinions were surveyed by means of the Likert scale along five categories ranging from complete agreement to complete disagreement. RESULTS: The Panel presented 13 recommendations and considered three additional issues relevant to HT use. There was consensus that HT during the perimenopause and thereafter is warranted in Latin American women in particular for the management of vasomotor symptoms. HT may also be an option for osteoporosis prevention in women at significant risk, after evaluation of risks/benefits and after consideration of alternative therapies. HT should be individualized and prescribed at the lowest effective dose. CONCLUSIONS: The Panel concluded that HT remains a safe and effective treatment option for peri- and postmenopausal Latin American women.