Does Obesity Aggravate Climacteric Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women? / A obesidade agrava os sintomas climatéricos em mulheres na pós-menopausa?

Abstract Objective To determine if there is a correlation between body mass index (BMI) and climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women. Methods The study sample was composed of 109 postmenopausal women with a mean age of 57 ± 8 years, mean body mass index (BMI) of 30 ± 6 kg/m2, and 8 ± 8 years after menopause. For the assessment of the climacteric symptoms, the Blatt-Kupperman Index (BKI), the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), and the Cervantes Scale (CS) were used. Data analysis was performed through the Chi-squared test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the Bonferroni post hoc test, and multiple linear regression. The level of significance adopted was of p < 0.05. The statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, United States) software, version 26.0. Results The multiple linear regression showed a positive association (p<0.01) between BMI values and menopause symptoms when adjusted for age and time after menopause in the 3 questionnaires used (BKI: B = 0.432; CS: B = 304; and MRS: B = 302). Regarding symptom scores, the obese women had higher mean scores (p<0.05) when compared to eutrophic women (BKI = 28 ± 10 and 20 ± 10; and MRS = 20 ± 10 and 13±7, respectively). In the Chi-squared analysis, 28% of obese women had severe symptoms and 46% had moderate symptoms, while only 1% and 46% of eutrophic women had these same symptoms. Conclusion There is an association between BMI and climacteric symptoms, and overweight or obese women have more intense and moderate symptoms than eutrophic women.

Resumo Objetivo Verificar se há correlação entre o índice de massa corporal e os sintomas do climatério em mulheres na pós-menopausa. Métodos Participaram do estudo 109 mulheres na pós-menopausa, com idade média de 57± 8 anos, índice de massa corporal (IMC) médio de 30± 6kg/m2 e 8± 8 anos após a menopausa. Para a avaliação dos sintomas climatéricos, foram utilizados os questionários específicos para essa população: Índice de Kupperman-Blatt (IKB), Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), e Escala de Cervantes (EC). A análise dos dados foi realizada por meio do teste do chi-quadrado, análise de variância (analysis of variance, ANOVA, em inglês) com o teste post hoc de Bonferroni e regressão linear múltipla. O nível de significância adotado foi p<0,05. Todas as análises estatísticas foram realizadas no programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, Estados Unidos), versão 26.0. Resultados A regressão linear múltipla mostrou associação positiva (p < 0,01) entre os valores do IMC e os sintomas do climatério quando ajustados pela idade e pelo tempo após a menopausa nos 3 questionários utilizados (IKB: B = 0,432; CE: B = 304; e MRS: B = 302). Quanto às pontuações dos sintomas, as mulheres com obesidade apresentaram médias maiores (p < 0,05) quando comparadas às mulheres eutróficas (IKB = 28 ± 10 e 20 ± 10; e MRS = 20± 10 e 13 ±7). Na análise pelo chi-quadrado 28% das mulheres obesas apresentaram sintomas graves, e 46%, moderados, ao passo que apenas 1% e 46% das eutrópicas apresentavam esses mesmos sintomas. Conclusão Há uma associação entre IMC e sintomas climatéricos, e mulheres com sobrepeso ou obesidade apresentam sintomas mais intensos e moderados do que mulheres eutróficas.

Síntomas climatéricos según el estilo de vida en mujeres de edad mediana / Climacteric symptoms and lifestyle among middle-aged women

Introducción: la expresión clínica del síndrome climatérico se asocia con el estilo de vida de la mujer. Factores socioculturales, ambientales y laborales influyen en la calidad de vida. Objetivo: identificar la relación entre la percepción de la sintomatología del síndrome climatérico y el estilo de vida en las mujeres de mediana edad estudiadas. Métodos: se realizó una investigación descriptiva, de corte transversal, con un diseño no experimental en el consultorio 17 del Policlínico Luis A. Turcios Lima, del municipio 10 de Octubre, desde el 1ro de junio de 2014 hasta el 31 de mayo de 2015. Se entrevistaron 91 mujeres entre 40 y 59 años. Se aplicó la encuesta para medir la intensidad del síndrome climatérico y la encuesta para el estudio del estilo de vida. Resultados: en la percepción de los síntomas climatéricos, la cuarta parte eran asintomáticas y los síntomas leves fueron percibidos en 37,4 por ciento de las pacientes. Casi la totalidad de las mujeres que tenían un estilo de vida saludable, eran asintomáticas o su percepción de los síntomas era leve; 42,8 por ciento presentó síntomas moderados o intensos. En el área de salud, predominaron las mujeres entre 55 y 59 años de piel blanca, universitarias y trabajadoras. Conclusiones: un estilo de vida no saludable se relaciona con el síndrome climatérico de intensidad moderada o intensa. Las condiciones físicas inadecuadas, la autoestima baja y no disponer de tiempo libre; se relacionaron con una mayor intensidad del síndrome climatérico(AU)

Introduction: the clinical expression of the climacteric syndrome is associated with the lifestyles of women. Sociocultural, environmental and occupational factors influence the quality of life. Objective: identify the relationship between perception of climacteric symptoms and lifestyle in the middle-aged women studied. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional non-experimental study was conducted at Consultation Office 17 of Luis A. Turcios Lima Polyclinic, in the municipality of 10 de Octubre, from 1 June 2014 to 31 May 2015. Interviews were conducted with 91 women aged 40-59. Two surveys were applied: one to gauge the intensity of the climacteric syndrome and the other to study lifestyle. Results: with respect to perception of climacteric symptoms, one fourth of the patients were asymptomatic. Mild symptoms were perceived by 37.4 percent. Almost all the women who had a healthy lifestyle were either asymptomatic or their perception of symptoms was mild; 42.8 percent had either moderate or intense symptoms. In the health area there was a predominance of white women of the 55-59 age group who were workers and university graduates. Conclusions: an unhealthy lifestyle is associated with a climacteric syndrome of moderate to high intensity. Inadequate physical conditions, a low self-esteem and lack of free time are related to a greater intensity of the climacteric syndrome(AU)

Síntomas climatéricos según el estilo de vida en mujeres de edad mediana / Climacteric symptoms and lifestyle among middle-aged women

Introducción: la expresión clínica del síndrome climatérico se asocia con el estilo de vida de la mujer. Factores socioculturales, ambientales y laborales influyen en la calidad de vida.Objetivo: identificar la relación entre la percepción de la sintomatología del síndrome climatérico y el estilo de vida en las mujeres de mediana edad estudiadas.Métodos: se realizó una investigación descriptiva, de corte transversal, con un diseño no experimental en el consultorio 17 del Policlínico "Luis A. Turcios Lima", del municipio 10 de Octubre, desde el 1ro de junio de 2014 hasta el 31 de mayo de 2015. Se entrevistaron 91 mujeres entre 40 y 59 años. Se aplicó la encuesta para medir la intensidad del síndrome climatérico y la encuesta para el estudio del estilo de vida.Resultados: en la percepción de los síntomas climatéricos, la cuarta parte eran asintomáticas y los síntomas leves fueron percibidos en 37,4 por ciento de las pacientes. Casi la totalidad de las mujeres que tenían un estilo de vida saludable, eran asintomáticas o su percepción de los síntomas era leve; 42,8 por ciento presentó síntomas moderados o intensos. En el área de salud, predominaron las mujeres entre 55 y 59 años de piel blanca, universitarias y trabajadoras.Conclusiones: un estilo de vida no saludable se relaciona con el síndrome climatérico de intensidad moderada o intensa. Las condiciones físicas inadecuadas, la autoestima baja y no disponer de tiempo libre; se relacionaron con una mayor intensidad del síndrome climatérico(AU)

Introduction: the clinical expression of the climacteric syndrome is associated with the lifestyles of women. Sociocultural, environmental and occupational factors influence the quality of life.Objective: identify the relationship between perception of climacteric symptoms and lifestyle in the middle-aged women studied.Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional non-experimental study was conducted at Consultation Office 17 of Luis A. Turcios Lima Polyclinic, in the municipality of 10 de Octubre, from 1 June 2014 to 31 May 2015. Interviews were conducted with 91 women aged 40-59. Two surveys were applied: one to gauge the intensity of the climacteric syndrome and the other to study lifestyle.Results: with respect to perception of climacteric symptoms, one fourth of the patients were asymptomatic. Mild symptoms were perceived by 37.4 percent. Almost all the women who had a healthy lifestyle were either asymptomatic or their perception of symptoms was mild; 42.8 percent had either moderate or intense symptoms. In the health area there was a predominance of white women of the 55-59 age group who were workers and university graduates.Conclusions: an unhealthy lifestyle is associated with a climacteric syndrome of moderate to high intensity. Inadequate physical conditions, a low self-esteem and lack of free time are related to a greater intensity of the climacteric syndrome(AU)

Menopausia y etnias/razas: ¿hay diferencias enl a presentación de los síntomas?: [revisión] / Menopause and ethnicity/race: are there differences in clinical presentation?: [review]

Introducción: la mayoría de los estudios sobre la sintomatología de la menopausia se han realizado entre mujeres caucásicas de la cultura occidental, lo que lleva a la inquietud de si sus hallazgos son aplicables a mujeres de otros grupos étnicos/raciales. Hay un creciente interés en estudiar el papel de la etnia/raza en los síntomas de la menopausia. Objetivo: revisar la literatura, identificando estudios que comparen los síntomas menopáusicos en diferentes etnias/razas. Materiales y métodos: se realizó una búsqueda electrónica en PubMed, Cochrane y SciELO con las palabras clave "menopause", "ethnicity" y "race". Se incluyeron estudios que compararan la presentación de síntomas climatéricos en diferentes etnias. Debido a la dificultad para la comparación de los resultados, no se incluyeron estudios realizados en una sola población étnica. Resultados: se identificaron 55 estudios, de los cuales 19 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. La prevalencia de los síntomas menopáusicos difirió entre los grupos étnicos y se observaron contrastes en la percepción y la experiencia de la menopausia entre las culturas. Conclusión: los resultados de estos estudios no apoyan un único síndrome menopáusico. El entendimiento de las diferencias entre los grupos étnicos puede mejorar la calidad de la atención en salud que se le brinda a la mujer y promover estilos de vida que contribuyan a disminuir su incidencia y severidad y mejorar la calidad de vida de la mujer.

Introduction: most studies about the symptomatology of menopause have been done on Caucasian females living in western culture, leading to worry about whether their findings are really applicable to females from other ethnic/ racial groups. There is growing interest in studying the role of ethnic groups/race in the symptoms of menopause. Objective: reviewing the literature identifying studies comparing menopausal symptoms in different ethnic groups/races. Materials and methods: PubMed, Cochrane and SciELO databases were searched using the key words "menopause", "ethnicity", "race". Studies were included which compared the presentation of climacteric symptoms in different ethnic groups; studies carried out on a single ethnic population were not included due to the subsequent difficulty in comparing results. Results: 55 studies were identified, of which 19 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of menopausal symptoms differed between ethnic groups and differences were observed concerning the perception and experience of menopause amongst cultures. Conclusion: the results of these studies did not support a single menopausal syndrome. Understanding the differences between ethnic groups could improve the quality of healthcare attention being provided for females and promote lifestyles contributing towards reducing the symptoms' incidence and severity, thereby improving females' quality of life.