Does everyday discrimination account for the increased risk of vasomotor symptoms in Black women?: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN).

OBJECTIVES: Vasomotor symptoms (VMS), including hot flashes and night sweats, are hallmark symptoms of the menopause transition. Previous research has documented greater frequency, duration, and severity of VMS in Black women compared with women from other racial/ethnic groups, even after accounting for other factors. This analysis examined the association between discrimination and VMS and the extent to which discrimination accounts for the disproportionate burden of VMS in Black women. METHODS: Using available discrimination and VMS data from the SWAN cohort study (n = 2,377, 48% White, 32% Black, 6% Japanese, 4% Chinese, and 9% Hispanic women) followed approximately yearly in midlife from premenopause (42-52 y) through postmenopause (~20 y), we assessed concurrent associations between discrimination and VMS frequency in the past 2 weeks using weighted generalized mixed models. We also assessed associations between chronic discrimination across first four visits and VMS trajectories from premenopause to postmenopause using weighted multinomial logistic regression. Models were adjusted for known risk factors for VMS. RESULTS: Higher levels of discrimination were associated with concurrent reporting of any (odds ratio [OR], 1.57 [1.31-1.89]) and frequent (≥6 d) VMS (OR, 1.55 [1.21-1.99]). After adjustment, associations remained significant for any (OR, 1.30 [1.09-1.54]) but not frequent VMS. For any VMS trajectories, chronic discrimination was associated with "continuously high" (OR, 1.69 [1.03-2.77]) and "high pre-FMP-decline post-FMP" (OR, 1.70 [1.01-2.88]) versus "FMP-onset low" trajectories. After adjusting for discrimination, odds of reporting any, frequent, and of being in the "continuously high" any VMS trajectory remained elevated for Black versus White women. CONCLUSIONS: Discrimination is associated with greater concurrent risk of any (but not frequent) VMS, and chronic discrimination is associated with a continuously high reporting of any VMS over time, independent of known risk factors. Adjusting for discrimination attenuates but does not eliminate the increased risk of VMS for Black women.

Race/Ethnicity and Incidence of Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Midlife Women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

Background: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) affects a considerable proportion of women. Limited information exists regarding the incidence of POP as women transition through menopause. Using data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), this diverse community-based longitudinal cohort study assessed the incidence of symptomatic POP and risk by race/ethnicity. Methods: Self-reported POP was ascertained by questionnaire at 11 approximately annual SWAN visits over a median of 13.3 years of follow-up. We estimated probabilities for reporting POP using interval-censored Kaplan-Meier survival plots. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using interval-censored Cox proportional hazards models. Results: The estimated cumulative probability of POP increased linearly from 2.1% at age 45 to 10.1% by age 65 (4.0% per decade). At age 65, the probability was 4.2%, 4.8%, 8.9%, 9.7%, and 33.9% for Japanese, Chinese, Black, White, and Hispanic women, respectively. Compared with White women, the unadjusted HR for POP was 3.09 (95% CI = 2.18-4.39), 0.96 (0.71-1.31), 0.43 (0.22-0.85), and 0.48 (0.26-0.88) for Hispanic, Black, Chinese, and Japanese women, respectively. After adjustment for financial strain and vaginal birth, the low hazards among Chinese and Japanese women and the high hazard for Hispanic women remained significant. Conclusion: Incidence of symptomatic POP increased as women aged through midlife. Risks varied by race and ethnicity and were not accounted for by population differences in socioeconomic life contexts or the probability of having had a vaginal birth. Although not associated with menopause, health providers should incorporate screening for and information about POP when treating menopausal symptoms and health needs of midlife women. Research on pathophysiological factors associated with increasing POP in midlife is warranted.

Students managing work and study role boundaries: a person-centred approach.

To cope with demands of working while studying, students must structure the boundaries between these roles (e.g., integrate or segment them) to suit their preferences and circumstances. However, students differ on how well they do this, and we do not yet understand the factors that contribute to managing work and study well. We sought to determine if different student groups existed and if the groups reported different work, study, and wellbeing outcomes. Using latent profile analysis and assessing work-study boundary congruence and flexibility (N = 808; 76% female; MAge 19.6 years), we identified four groups of (a) "balanced" (65.4%; with moderate boundary congruence and flexibility); (b) "high work congruence and flexibility" (17.5%; working arrangements supportive of study role); (c) "low work congruence and flexibility" (9.7%; unsupportive workplace arrangements); and (d) "low study congruence" (7.3%; study arrangements unsupportive of work role). These groups reported different work/study demands, role conflict, study burnout, and perceived employability, with "balanced" and "high work congruence and flexibility" groups scoring more positively and "low work congruence and flexibility" and "low study congruence" groups scoring more negatively. Results supported that different student groups existed, and these will need different supports to manage their multiple role responsibilities.

The underlying career values of young adults' protean and traditional career orientations.

Although young people espouse a range of career values, the extent to which traditional career values inter-mix with protean values is unclear. We interviewed a group of young university students in Australia (N = 24, MAge 19.4 years; 50% young men) and examined the full range of traditional and protean values held. Employing applied thematic analysis, we found that freedom/autonomy and fit to self were dominant in protean career themes, while they strongly expressed a desire for job security in a traditional career. The results inform theory development in the career development area and can assist university career counselors.

Bien que les jeunes adhèrent à un éventail de valeurs professionnelles, la mesure dans laquelle les valeurs professionnelles traditionnelles se mêlent aux valeurs protéiformes n'est pas claire. Nous avons interrogé un groupe de jeunes étudiants universitaires australiens (N = 24, âge moyen 19,4 ans; 50% de jeunes hommes) et examiné l'ensemble des valeurs traditionnelles et protéiformes. En recourant à une analyse thématique appliquée, nous avons constaté que la liberté/l'autonomie et l'adéquation à soi étaient dominantes dans les thèmes de la carrière protéiforme, tandis que les étudiants exprimaient fortement leur désir de sécurité de l'emploi dans une carrière traditionnelle. Les résultats éclairent le développement de la théorie dans le domaine du développement de carrière et peuvent aider les conseillers d'orientation des universités.

Aunque los jóvenes adoptan una serie de valores profesionales, no está claro hasta qué punto los valores profesionales tradicionales se entremezclan con los valores proteicos. Entrevistamos a un grupo de jóvenes universitarios de Australia (N = 24, MAge 19,4 años; 50% hombres jóvenes) y examinamos toda la gama de valores tradicionales y proteicos. Empleando un análisis temático aplicado, descubrimos que la libertad/autonomía y la adecuación a uno mismo dominaban los temas de la carrera proteica, mientras que expresaban un fuerte deseo de seguridad laboral en una carrera tradicional. Los resultados aportan información para el desarrollo teórico en el área del desarrollo profesional y pueden ayudar a los orientadores profesionales universitarios.

Sleep timing, sleep regularity, and psychological health in early late life women: Findings from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN).

OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations of actigraphy-assessed sleep timing and regularity with psychological health in early late life women, whose circadian rhythms may be impacted by aging. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. PARTICIPANTS: A racially/ethnically diverse sample of 1197 community-dwelling women (mean age 65 years) enrolled in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. MEASURES: Actigraphy-assessed sleep measures included timing (mean midpoint from sleep onset to wake-up) and regularity (standard deviation of midpoint in hours). Psychological health measures included a composite well-being score, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale. Linear and logistic regression models, adjusted for covariates (including sleep duration), tested associations between sleep and psychological health measures. RESULTS: After covariate adjustment, a sleep midpoint outside of 2:00-4: 00 AM was significantly associated with depressive symptoms (ß = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.06, 1.70) and scoring above the cut-point for clinically significant depressive symptoms (OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.15, 2.57). Sleep irregularity was significantly associated with lower psychological well-being (ß = -0.18, 95% CI = -0.33, -0.03), depressive (ß = 1.36, 95% CI = 0.29, 2.44) and anxiety (ß = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.40, 1.46) symptoms, and scoring above the cut-point for clinically significant depressive (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.01, 2.79) and anxiety (OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.07, 2.43) symptoms. CONCLUSION: Above and beyond sleep duration, a sleep midpoint outside of 2:00-4:00 AM was associated with depressive symptoms while sleep irregularity was associated with multiple psychological health domains in late life women.

Disparities in Vision Impairment and Eye Diseases among Early Late-Life Women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, Michigan Site.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the burden of vision impairment (VI) and ocular conditions among early late-life women. METHODS: Women (n = 254, mean age 66.0 years) participated in a comprehensive vision assessment. Visual acuity (VA) and ocular disorders (diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, hypertensive retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts) were defined clinically. Race, economic strain and education were self-reported. RESULTS: The prevalence of presenting VI (VA 20/40 or worse) was 11.0% and 75% of that was correctable (best-corrected VI 2.8%). Black women and those with greater economic strain or less education had a higher prevalence of presenting VI. These disparities were no longer present after considering best-corrected VI. Ocular disease prevalence ranged from 3.3% (age-related macular degeneration) to 30.2% (hypertensive retinopathy), but most participants were unaware of their ocular diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The discordance of presenting versus best-corrected VI and lack of knowledge of ocular conditions suggests a need for increased vision services. Access to optimal vision correction may attenuate differences across sociodemographic groups.

A novel scale to measure students' perceptions of exemplars in a dental school.

INTRODUCTION: Exemplars are an effective strategy for initial cognitive and psychomotor skill acquisition and promoting students' self-regulation. Yet, there is limited evidence about students' use and perception of exemplars in dental education. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a scale to measure students' perception of exemplars in an Australian dental school. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phase I assessed the relevant literature and students' responses to an interview. Four themes were identified for developing a 19-item questionnaire rated by an expert panel. Phase II piloted the questionnaire amongst a group of 30 students. Phase III analysed psychometric and qualitative open-ended questions data obtained from a large group of students. RESULTS: The principal axis factoring resulted in one single factor that explained over 62% of the variance and had an alpha of .88. The number of questions was reduced from 19 to 6 items with loadings of 0.72 or above for each item. Students reported exemplars are beneficial for their learning and to visually guide them to understand procedures and their intended outcomes. This prompts them to think and mentally prepare before performing. Students further reported using exemplars provided by their courses almost as often as exemplars they search in social media. CONCLUSION: Well-developed exemplars could play a key role in enhancing learning and could assist teaching. Understanding students' use and perception of exemplars will help educators to develop and evaluate appealing exemplars. Therefore, this study developed a new instrument to measure students' perception of exemplars, verified its reliability and validity.

Longitudinal association of midlife vision impairment and depressive symptoms: the study of Women's Health Across the Nation, Michigan site.

OBJECTIVE: Poor vision affects physical health but the relationship with depressive symptoms among midlife adults (40-65 y), who often present with early stage vision impairment (VI), is not well understood. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of vision on depressive symptoms during midlife. METHODS: The Michigan site of the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation conducted assessments of distance visual acuity at six consecutive, near-annual follow-up visits. At each visit, depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale) were assessed. VI was defined as mild (20/30-20/60) or moderate-severe (20/70 or worse). Multivariable logistic regression models using generalized estimating equations were used to assess the association of VI and reporting of depressive symptoms at the subsequent visit. RESULTS: At analytic baseline, the mean age of participants (N = 226) was 50.0 years (standard deviation = 2.6). More than half (53.5%) of women had mild VI and 8.0% had moderate-severe VI. Adjusting for age, preexisting depressive symptoms, race, education, economic strain, body mass index, and smoking, participants with mild and moderate-severe VI had 68% (95% C (0.97-2.90)) and 2.55-fold (95% CI 1.13-5.75) higher odds of reporting depressive symptoms at their subsequent study visit as compared with women without VI. Further adjustment for diabetes, hypertension, and osteoarthritis attenuated the estimates and the associations were no longer statistically significant. CONCLUSION: VI was associated with increased odds of future depressive symptoms among mid-life women. Timely detection and appropriate correction of VI may be important to consider in maintaining the mental health status of midlife women.

Decision-making following identification of an infant's unilateral hearing loss: Parent and professional perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Parents of infants identified with unilateral hearing loss (UHL) make decisions about managing their infant's hearing loss based on limited evidence and before knowing whether their infant will require additional support. OBJECTIVES: The decision-making processes of parents and clinicians regarding the management of UHL following newborn hearing screening were examined. PROCEDURE: Two convenience samples were recruited: 15 parents of children with permanent UHL aged under 4 years, and 14 clinicians. Applied thematic analysis of the semi-structured interviews elicited insight into the complexities surrounding decision-making from a parent and clinician perspective. RESULTS: Three main themes captured the decision-making process: motivation for decision-making, limited evidence creates uncertainty, and available evidence builds certainty. The diverse experiences and opinions of parents and clinicians highlight the complexity of decision-making when there are contested opinions and no clear best management option. CONCLUSIONS: The choices parents make about the management of their child's UHL can have lifelong implications for their child. Many questions need answering before parents can effectively evaluate the short- and long-term consequences of their options and whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages in the long-term. This uncertainty is challenging for professionals and parents and risks cognitive biases influencing clinical and parental decision-making.

Midlife Vision Impairment and Cognitive Function in Later Life: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, Michigan Cohort.

BACKGROUND: In older adults, vision impairment (VI) is associated with worse cognitive function. However, the relationship between midlife vision and future cognitive function remains unknown. METHODS: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, Michigan site, is a longitudinal cohort of midlife women aged 42-52 years at baseline. Presenting Titmus visual acuity (VA) in the better-seeing eye was assessed at baseline and categorized as no or mild VI (VA ≥20/60), or moderate or worse VI (VA <20/60). Cognitive function was measured 8 times over 15 years using the East Boston Memory Test immediate (EBMTi) and delayed (EBMTd) recall and the Digit Span Backwards (DSB) test. Linear mixed models with a random intercept and slope for age were constructed to detect associations between VI at baseline and future repeated measures of cognitive function, adjusting for age, race, education, financial strain, alcohol use, and tobacco use. RESULTS: About 394 women aged 42-52 at baseline with a maximum follow-up of 20 years were included in this analysis. After covariate adjustment, moderate or worse VI was associated with lower EMBTi (ß = -0.56, p = .012), EBMTd (ß = -0.60, p = .009), and DSB (ß = -0.84, p = .04). While we detected significant associations between VI and levels of cognitive function scores, rates of cognitive decline as individuals aged did not vary by VI status. CONCLUSION: Moderate or worse VI, assessed during midlife, was associated with lower scores on measures of cognitive function over a 15-year period during which women transitioned from midlife to older adulthood.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Hormone Levels During the Menopausal Transition.

CONTEXT: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread chemicals that may affect sex hormones and accelerate reproductive aging in midlife women. OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between serum PFAS concentrations at baseline (1999-2000) and longitudinal serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) at baseline and through 2015-2016. DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SETTING: General community. PARTICIPANTS: 1371 midlife women 45 to 56 years of age at baseline in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): FSH, estradiol, testosterone, SHBG. RESULTS: In linear mixed models fitted with log-transformed hormones and log-transformed PFAS adjusting for age, site, race/ethnicity, smoking status, menopausal status, parity, and body mass index, FSH was positively associated with linear perfluorooctanoate [n-PFOA; 3.12% (95% CI 0.37%, 5.95%) increase for a doubling in serum concentration), linear perfluorooctane sulfonate [PFOS; 2.88% (0.21%, 5.63%)], branched perfluorooctane sulfonate [2.25% (0.02%, 4.54%)], total PFOS (3.03% (0.37%, 5.76%)), and 2-(N-ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetate [EtFOSAA; 1.70% (0.01%, 3.42%)]. Estradiol was inversely associated with perfluorononanoate [PFNA; -2.47% (-4.82%, -0.05%)) and n-PFOA (-2.43% (-4.97%, 0.18%)]. Significant linear trends were observed in the associations between PFOS and EtFOSAA with SHBG across parity (Ps trend ≤ 0.01), with generally inverse associations among nulliparous women but positive associations among women with 3+ births. No significant associations were observed between PFAS and testosterone. CONCLUSIONS: This study observed positive associations of PFOA and PFOS with FSH and inverse associations of PFNA and PFOA with estradiol in midlife women during the menopausal transition, consistent with findings that PFAS affect reproductive aging.

Impact of the Healing in Harmony program on women's mental health in a rural area in South Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo.

BACKGROUND: To assess whether Healing in Harmony (HiH), a form of music therapy, improved women's mental health following conflict-related trauma and sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. METHODS: This study used a step-wedged design and included 167 women, who completed up to two pre-tests, a post-test, and up to two follow-up interviews at 3 and 6 months after completing the program. The Hopkins Symptoms Checklist was used to measure anxiety and depression. The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire was used to measure post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Generalized estimating equations with unstructured covariance were used to estimate mean change in mental health scores and relative risks (RRs) for screening positive. RESULTS: Prior to starting the HiH program, 73.9, 84.2, and 68.5% screened positive with median scores being 2.20, 2.70, and 2.06 for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, respectively. The RR for screening positive declined significantly (RR = 0.49 for depression, 0.61 for anxiety, and 0.54 for PTSD) and mean scores declined significantly by -0.54, -0.67, and -0.53 points, respectively, from the pre- to the post-test, declines that were sustained at the 3-month and 6-month follow-up interviews. CONCLUSION: The HiH program was associated with significant improvement in women's mental health that was sustained up to 6 months post completion of the program despite instability in the region and evidence of continued experience of conflict-related trauma during the study. These data support the value of providing psychological care in the context of ongoing humanitarian crises.

Paper towel test as independently self-administered to quantify cough-related urine loss: Compliance and comparisons with survey-only data in SWAN.

AIMS: The epidemiologic Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) includes urinary incontinence (UI) questionnaire items. We introduced an independently self-administered paper towel test (PTT-ISA; invention disclosure #2021-347) to objectively demonstrate UI. Aims were to determine: (1) PTT-ISA compliance and (2) relationship to questionnaire results. METHODS: 276 community women were invited to complete both SWAN questionnaire and PTT-ISA. For PTT-ISA, a woman holds a trifold brown paper towel against her perineum while coughing hard three times. She checks the towel for wetness and compares it with pictorial showing wetted area gradations (dry towel through >6 ml/saturated). She then selects the best photo match for her towel. A newly conceptualized variable constructed as PTT-ISA plus questionnaire results was formed. RESULTS: Of 276 women, noncompliance with PTT-ISA was 2.2% (6 women). Four others (1.5%) were missing questionnaires. For the remaining 266 women, conceptual cohesiveness between questionnaire-only and PTT-ISA + questionnaire was demonstrated in 165 (62.0%). Lack of cohesiveness occurred in 101 (38.9%), including 41 women who said "no" to the questionnaire item indicative of stress UI and had leakage on PTT-ISA; leakage degree varied across the full pictorial spectrum from drops to saturated. CONCLUSION: PTT-ISA demonstrates high compliance, with rate comparable to survey compliance. It is a novel measure for objective sign of urine loss when independently self-administered by community women outside of a clinic environment. Further research comparing PTT-ISA with clinician-observed cough test is warranted. As independently self-administered, PTT-ISA is simple, noninvasive, inexpensive, and an acceptable test that adds value to otherwise survey-dependent research.

Associations between polygenic risk score for age at menarche and menopause, reproductive timing, and serum hormone levels in multiple race/ethnic groups.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed associations of genetic loci that contribute to age at menarche and menopause with sentinel menopausal traits in multiple race/ethnic groups. METHODS: Genetic data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation include 738 White, 366 Black, 139 Chinese, and 145 Japanese women aged 42 to 52 at baseline. We constructed standardized polygenic risk scores (PRSs) using single nucleotide polymorphisms identified from large-scale genome-wide association studies meta-analyses of ages at menopause and menarche, evaluating associations with each trait within each race/ethnic group. RESULTS: Menopause PRS was significantly associated with age at menopause in White women after Bonferroni correction (P < 0.004) and nominally associated in Chinese and Japanese women (P < 0.05) (7.4-8.5 mo delay for one standard deviation [SD] increase in PRS). Menarche PRS was significantly associated with age at menarche in White (P < 0.004) and nominally associated in Black and Japanese women (P < 0.05) (2.6-4.8 mo delay for one SD increase). In White women, menarche and menopause PRSs were significantly associated (P < 0.004) with shorter and longer (5.9 and 9.6 mo for one SD increase) reproductive lifespans, respectively, and menopause PRS with a longer menopausal transition (7.1 mo for one SD increase). We observed a significant positive association (P < 0.004) between menopause PRS and E2 level 2 years before menopause and a nominal association (P < 0.05) 2 years after menopause in Japanese women. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to menopausal timing, PRSs associated with onset and ending of reproductive life were associated with reproductive lifespan, length of the menopausal transition, and E2 levels in different race/ethnic groups.

Genetic variants predictive of reproductive aging are associated with vasomotor symptoms in a multiracial/ethnic cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Vasomotor symptoms (VMS), hot flashes, and night sweats are cardinal symptoms of the menopausal transition. Little is known about genetic influences on VMS. This study evaluated whether previously identified genetic factors predictive of VMS, age at menarche, and age at menopause were associated with VMS in a multiracial/ethnic cohort. METHODS: For 702 White, 306 Black, 126 Chinese, and 129 Japanese women from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) Genomic Substudy, we created polygenic risk scores (PRSs) from genome-wide association studies of VMS and ages at menarche and menopause. PRSs and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from a previously identified VMS locus (tachykinin receptor 3 [TACR3]) were evaluated for associations with frequent VMS (VMS ≥6 days in the past 2 weeks at any visit) and with VMS trajectories (persistently low, early onset, final menstrual period onset, persistently high). RESULTS: The C-allele of rs74827081 in TACR3 was associated with reduced likelihood of frequent VMS in White women (odds ratio [OR] = 0.49 [95% CI, 0.29-0.83]). With higher menarche PRS (later menarche), Black women were less likely (OR = 0.55 [95% CI, 0.38-0.78]) to report frequent VMS. With higher PRS for age at menarche, Black women were also less likely to have a persistently high VMS trajectory (OR = 0.55 [95% CI, 0.34-0.91]), whereas White women (OR = 0.75 [95% CI, 0.58-0.98]) were less likely to have a final menstrual period onset trajectory (vs persistently low). Chinese women with higher menopause PRS were more likely to have frequent VMS (OR = 2.29 [95% CI, 1.39-3.78]). Associations were substantively similar after excluding rs74827081 C-allele carriers. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic factors predictive of reproductive aging are also associated with VMS, suggesting that VMS have a polygenic architecture. Further study in this area may help to identify new targets for novel VMS therapies.

Video Summary : http://links.lww.com/MENO/A761 .

Symptom clusters predict risk of metabolic-syndrome and diabetes in midlife: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

PURPOSE: Women's cardio-metabolic risk increases in midlife. Previous work relating menopause symptoms to diabetes/Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) does not consider the adverse impact of multiple concurrent physical and psychological symptoms in midlife. METHODS: Data are from 3097 participants in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, a cohort of midlife women followed for over 20 years. Baseline latent symptom classes (LSC) were derived from 58 questions assessing physical, psychological and menopausal symptoms. Six identified LSCs ranged from 1 (most symptoms present at high severity) to 6 (few symptoms present at low severity). Accelerated failure time models estimated time to onset of type 2 diabetes and MetS for each LSC. RESULTS: Women with multiple high/moderate severity symptoms had an earlier onset of diabetes (13.2%, 14.1% and 20.8% earlier onset in LSCs 1, 2, 3, respectively) and MetS (15.5%, 13.0% and 19.7% earlier onset in LSCs 1, 2, 3, respectively) than women with few/low severity symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Having multiple concurrent moderate to high intensity physical and psychological symptoms in midlife are associated with early onset of diabetes and MetS. Monitoring and subsequent intervention on a broad range of symptoms in midlife may significantly mitigate cardio-metabolic risk during this critical life stage.

Associations between sleep and cognitive performance in a racially/ethnically diverse cohort: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine whether actigraphy-assessed indices of sleep are associated with cognitive performance in women, and explore whether these associations vary by race/ethnicity. METHODS: Participants were 1,126 postmenopausal community-dwelling females (mean age 65 years) from the observational Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN); 25% were black, 46% white, 13% Chinese, 11% Japanese, and 5% Hispanic. Actigraphy-assessed sleep measures included total sleep time, wake after sleep onset (WASO), and fragmentation. Cognitive measures included immediate and delayed verbal memory, working memory, and information processing speed. All measures were assessed in conjunction with SWAN annual visit 15. RESULTS: Across the sample, after covariate adjustment, greater WASO and fragmentation were concurrently associated with slower information processing speed. Black participants had significantly worse sleep relative to other race/ethnic groups. Significant race/sleep interactions were observed; in black, but not white, participants, greater fragmentation was concurrently associated with worse verbal memory and slower information processing speed, and greater WASO was concurrently associated with slower information processing speed. Sleep-cognitive performance associations were not different in Chinese and Japanese participants relative to white participants. CONCLUSIONS: Greater wakefulness and fragmentation during sleep are concurrently associated with slower information processing. Sleep continuity impacted concurrent cognitive performance in black, but not white, women. This effect may not have been detected in white women because their sleep was largely within the normal range. Future longitudinal studies in diverse samples are critical to further understand whether race/ethnicity moderates the influence of sleep on cognitive performance.

Changes in kidney function during the menopausal transition: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) - Michigan site.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine changes in kidney function during the menopausal transition (MT) and associations with levels of sex hormones (follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], sex hormone binding globulin [SHBG], estradiol, and testosterone). METHODS: We used data from the Michigan site of Study of the Women's Health Across the Nation, a longitudinal study of the MT. For this analysis, we included women who had at least one creatinine measure before the final menstrual period (FMP) and at least one creatinine measure after the FMP (n = 101 women with 440 observations). To determine whether the declines in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) remained constant during the MT, we used local weighted regression curves to fit eGFR estimates. We examined the association between sex hormones and eGFR with longitudinal mixed models adjusting for baseline age, day of menstrual cycle, and time from FMP. RESULTS: At baseline, women had a mean age of 45.4 ±â€Š2.5 years; 54% were African-American and 46% were white. Although eGFR declined significantly over time, declines were linear, consistent with declines in eGFR due to age alone rather than the MT. Total testosterone, estradiol, ratio of testosterone:estradiol, and free androgen index were not significantly associated with eGFR, whereas lower FSH (-0.039, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.067 to -0.012) and higher SHBG (0.050, 95% CI 0.004-0.096) were associated with higher eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: Kidney function declines during the MT. Although associated with levels of FSH and SHBG, the rate of decline in eGFR is consistent with what would be expected of age alone.

Equivalence of using a desktop virtual reality science simulation at home and in class.

The use of virtual laboratories is growing as companies and educational institutions try to expand their reach, cut costs, increase student understanding, and provide more accessible hands on training for future scientists. Many new higher education initiatives outsource lab activities so students now perform them online in a virtual environment rather than in a classroom setting, thereby saving time and money while increasing accessibility. In this paper we explored whether the learning and motivational outcomes of interacting with a desktop virtual reality (VR) science lab simulation on the internet at home are equivalent to interacting with the same simulation in class with teacher supervision. A sample of 112 (76 female) university biology students participated in a between-subjects experimental design, in which participants learned at home or in class from the same virtual laboratory simulation on the topic of microbiology. The home and classroom groups did not differ significantly on post-test learning outcome scores, or on self-report measures of intrinsic motivation or self-efficacy. Furthermore, these conclusions remained after accounting for prior knowledge or goal orientation. In conclusion, the results indicate that virtual simulations are learning activities that students can engage in just as effectively outside of the classroom environment.