Confiabilidad de cuestionarios electrónicos para evaluar calidad de vida y actitudes hacia la vejez en mujeres de 40 a 69 años / Reliability of electronic questionnaires to evaluate quality of life and attitudes towards old age in women aged 40 to 69 years

Introducción: el uso de cuestionarios electrónicos se ha convertido en algo común, sin embargo, depende de diversos factores (como la edad y las habilidades digitales), por lo que es necesario determinar la confiabilidad de estos instrumentos para su aplicación. Objetivo: determinar la concordancia y reproducibilidad de los cuestionarios Calidad de vida breve de la OMS (WHOQoL-B) y Actitudes autoevaluadas hacia la vejez (AAV) en formato electrónico para su aplicación vía remota a mujeres de edad madura y adulta mayor. Metodología: se realizó un estudio instrumental con el método test-retest con 35 mujeres (40-69 años). Se transfirieron ambos cuestionarios a un formulario de Google y se enviaron vía WhatsAppen dos ocasiones, con una diferencia mayor a 15 días entre la aplicación. Se calcularon los parámetros de confiabilidad por estabilidad temporal y concordancia estadística. Resultados: el WHOQoL-B obtuvo a y CCI = 0.880 y r = 0.785 en la calificación total; para sus dimensiones a > 0.740 y r > 0.590. La calificación total del AAV mostró a y CCI = 0.708 y r = 0.552 y sus dimensiones a > 0.710 y r de 0.295 a 0.508. Conclusiones: los cuestionarios WHOQoL-B y AAV en formato electrónico pueden ser utilizados para aplicación vía remota, aunque el AAV es menos consistente...(AU)

Abstract Introduction: The electronic tests have been used on a regular basis, although their use depends on several factors such as age and digital ability, therefore it is necessary to determine the confidence of these instruments for their application. Objective: To determine the agreement and reproducibility of the WHO Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQoL-B) and the Self-Assessed Attitudes Towards Old Age (SATO) questionnaires in electronic format for application in middle-aged and older women. Methods: An instrumental study with a test-retest method was carried out with 35 women (40-69 years). Both questionnaires were transferred to a Google form and sent to the women by WhatsApp twice with a difference of more than 15 days between applications. We calculate the confidence by temporal stability and the statistical agreement. Results: For the WHOQoL-B, an a and ICC= 0.880, and r = 0.785 were obtained in the total rating; for their dimensions the result for a was > 0.740, and r > 0.590. The total rating of SATO shows an a and ICC= 0.708, and r = 0.552; for their dimensions, the a was > 0.710, and r from 0.295 to 0.508. Conclusions: The electronic tests WHOQoL and SATO can be used for remote application, although SATO is less consistent.

Advanced Activities of Daily Living in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS 2018).

BACKGROUND: The advanced activities of daily living (AADLs) in old age is a key indicator of the mobility domain for the intrinsic capacity of older adults living in the community; for this reason, it is relevant to know the prevalence and risk factors related to performing fewer AADLs in different populations. AIM: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with the ability to perform AADLs in older adults reported in the Mexican Study of Health and Aging (MSHA 2018). METHODS: A secondary cross-sectional analysis of the MSHA 2018 data was carried out, including a convenience sample of 6474 subjects ≥ 60 years of age, for both sexes, without cognitive deficits. Nine questions related to AADLs were selected from the database. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with <3 AADLs, including sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health status factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of the ability to perform <3 AADLs was 63%. Age is the most important risk factor for <3 AADLs, which increases by the decade, followed by sedentary lifestyle (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.91-2.42, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that age, schooling, urban residence, sedentary lifestyle, and comorbidity are the main risk factors for <3 AADLs in older Mexican adults.

Relationship between Self-Perception of Aging and Quality of Life in the Different Stages of Reproductive Aging in Mexican Women.

Biological aging has an abrupt beginning in women, changing their body and perceptions, which are not accepted easily because the actual stereotypes are focused on youth and anti-aging. Our interest was to explore what the self-perception of aging (SPA) is in middle-aged women throughout the reproductive aging stages and their association with the quality of life. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 240 women (40−69 years) living in Mexico City, who were separated according to their reproductive aging stage. An electronic version of the Spanish version of the Self-rated Attitudes Towards Old Age (SATO) and the WHO Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQoL) was applied to these women and was sent by WhatsApp or email. Seventeen women of the total sample (7%) had a negative self-perception of aging. There is an association between SATO and WHOQoL (r = −0.273, p < 0.0001), but in the menopausal transition stage, the association is strong in the psychological subscale, and after menopause, early and late postmenopausal women show a better association in the social subscale. Negative SPA impacts the WHOQoL psychological dimension and not the total WHOQoL score. Our findings suggest an association between SPA and quality of life in different reproductive aging stages.

Oxidative Stress Risk Is Increased with a Sedentary Lifestyle during Aging in Mexican Women.

Oxidative stress (OS) increases during the human aging process, and the sedentary lifestyle could be a prooxidant factor. In this study, we determine the effect of sedentary lifestyle on OS during the aging process in Mexican women. A longitudinal study of two-year follow-up was carried out with 177 community-dwelling women (40-69 y) from Mexico City. We measured as OS markers plasma malondialdehyde, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), total plasma antioxidant status, uric acid level, antioxidant gap, and SOD/GPx ratio. To define OS using all the markers, we defined cut-off values of each parameter based on the 90th percentile of young healthy subjects and, we calculated a stress score (SS) ranging from 0 to 7, which represented the intensity of the marker modifications. All the women answered a structured questionnaire about prooxidant factors, including physical activity specially the type of activity, frequency, and duration, and they answered Spanish versions of self-assessment tests for establishing dysthymia and insomnia as potential confounders. Principal component and Poisson regression analysis were used as statistical tools, being two-year OS the primary outcome. The OS was considerate as SS ≥ 4 and sedentary lifestyle as <30 min/day of physical activity, beside several prooxidant factors and age that were covariables. SS is higher in sedentary lifestyle women after the two-year follow-up; although, the difference was statistically significant only in older women. Four principal components were associated with the OS, and 7 out of 8 prooxidant factors were important for the analysis, which were included in the Poisson model. The predictive factors for OS were the sedentary lifestyle (adjusted PR = 2.37, CI95%: 1.30-4.30, p < 0.01), and age, in which the risk increases 1.06 (CI95%:1.02-2.11, p < 0.01) by each year of age. Our findings suggest that a sedentary lifestyle increases the OS during the aging in Mexican women.

Relación entre la obesidad central y el estrés oxidativo en mujeres premenopáusicas versus posmenopáusicas / Relationship between central obesity and oxidative stress in premenopausal versus postmenopausal women

INTRODUCCIÓN: los cambios endocrinológicos de la menopausia producen un incremento en la adiposidad central y el estrés oxidativo, por lo que podría inferirse que las mujeres posmenopáusicas obesas mostrarían un estrés oxidativo significativamente mayor que las mujeres premenopáusicas. OBJETIVO: evaluar la relación entre la obesidad central y el estrés oxidativo en mujeres premenopáusicas en comparación con posmenopáusicas utilizando diferentes índices. MÉTODOS: estudio transversal con 237 mujeres premenopáusicas y 255 posmenopáusicas (40-60 años). Como marcadores de estrés oxidativo se midieron los niveles de malondialdehído plasmático y ácido úrico sérico, las enzimas antioxidantes superóxido-dismutasa y glutatión-peroxidasa eritrocitarias, y la capacidad plasmática antioxidante total. También se obtuvieron el peso, la estatura y la circunferencia de cintura y cadera, con lo que se calcularon los índices de masa corporal (IMC), cintura-cadera (ICC) y cintura-talla (ICT). RESULTADOS: se observaron más de un 30 % de obesidad y un 50 % de sobrepeso en ambos grupos. Los niveles de malondialdehído y de ácido úrico son más altos en las mujeres con sobrepeso/obesidad en ambos grupos. El ICT tuvo una correlación positiva con el nivel de malondialdehído (r = 0,298, p < 0,0001) y ácido úrico (r = 0,263, p < 0,0001), y una negativa con la actividad de GPx (r = -0,148, p < 0,01). Con un valor de corte de ICT > 0,6, aumentan el malondiahldehído y el ácido úrico, sin importar el estado menopáusico. Los demás índices no mostraron ninguna relación. CONCLUSIÓN: nuestros hallazgos sugieren una asociación entre la obesidad central medida por el ICT y el aumento del estrés oxidativo, independientemente del estado menopáusico

BACKGROUND: endocrine changes in midlife women produce an increase in central obesity and oxidative stress, thus it is possible that obese postmenopausal women exhibit a higher oxidative stress than premenopausal women. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the relationship between central obesity and oxidative stress in premenopausal compared with postmenopausal women using different indices. METHODS: this is a cross-sectional study that included 237 pre- and 255 post-menopausal women (40-60 years old). As oxidative stress markers we measured plasma malondialdehyde and serum uric acid levels, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total plasma antioxidant status. We also measured height, weight, and waist and hip circumferences, and we calculated body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). RESULTS: we found over 30 % of women within the obesity range, whereas 50 % were placed in the overweight category in both groups. Plasma malondialdehyde and serum uric acid levels were higher in women with overweight or obesity than in women with normal weight regardless of menopausal status. We found a positive correlation between WHtR and malondialdehyde level (r = 0.298, p < 0.0001) and serum uric acid level (r = 0.263, p < 0.0001), and a negative correlation with erythrocyte GPx activity (r = -0.148, p < 0.01). If we use a WHtR > 0.6, malondialdehyde and uric acid levels increase regardless of menopausal status. The other indices measured did not show any relationship. CONCLUSION: our findings suggest that there is an association between central obesity, as measured with WHtR, and increased oxidative stress regardless of menopausal status

[Relationship between central obesity and oxidative stress in premenopausal versus postmenopausal women]. / Relación entre la obesidad central y el estrés oxidativo en mujeres premenopáusicas versus posmenopáusicas.

INTRODUCTION: Background: endocrine changes in midlife women produce an increase in central obesity and oxidative stress, thus it is possible that obese postmenopausal women exhibit a higher oxidative stress than premenopausal women. Objective: to evaluate the relationship between central obesity and oxidative stress in premenopausal compared with postmenopausal women using different indices. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study that included 237 pre- and 255 post-menopausal women (40-60 years old). As oxidative stress markers we measured plasma malondialdehyde and serum uric acid levels, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total plasma antioxidant status. We also measured height, weight, and waist and hip circumferences, and we calculated body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Results: we found over 30% of women within the obesity range, whereas 50% were placed in the overweight category in both groups. Plasma malondialdehyde and serum uric acid levels were higher in women with overweight or obesity than in women with normal weight regardless of menopausal status. We found a positive correlation between WHtR and malondialdehyde level (r = 0.298, p < 0.0001) and serum uric acid level (r = 0.263, p < 0.0001), and a negative correlation with erythrocyte GPx activity (r = -0.148, p < 0.01). If we use a WHtR > 0.6, malondialdehyde and uric acid levels increase regardless of menopausal status. The other indices measured did not show any relationship. Conclusion: our findings suggest that there is an association between central obesity, as measured with WHtR, and increased oxidative stress regardless of menopausal status.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: los cambios endocrinológicos de la menopausia producen un incremento en la adiposidad central y el estrés oxidativo, por lo que podría inferirse que las mujeres posmenopáusicas obesas mostrarían un estrés oxidativo significativamente mayor que las mujeres premenopáusicas. Objetivo: evaluar la relación entre la obesidad central y el estrés oxidativo en mujeres premenopáusicas en comparación con posmenopáusicas utilizando diferentes índices. Métodos: estudio transversal con 237 mujeres premenopáusicas y 255 posmenopáusicas (40-60 años). Como marcadores de estrés oxidativo se midieron los niveles de malondialdehído plasmático y ácido úrico sérico, las enzimas antioxidantes superóxido-dismutasa y glutatión-peroxidasa eritrocitarias, y la capacidad plasmática antioxidante total. También se obtuvieron el peso, la estatura y la circunferencia de cintura y cadera, con lo que se calcularon los índices de masa corporal (IMC), cintura-cadera (ICC) y cintura-talla (ICT). Resultados: se observaron más de un 30% de obesidad y un 50% de sobrepeso en ambos grupos. Los niveles de malondialdehído y de ácido úrico son más altos en las mujeres con sobrepeso/obesidad en ambos grupos. El ICT tuvo una correlación positiva con el nivel de malondialdehído (r = 0,298, p < 0,0001) y ácido úrico (r = 0,263, p < 0,0001), y una negativa con la actividad de GPx (r = -0,148, p < 0,01). Con un valor de corte de ICT > 0,6, aumentan el malondiahldehído y el ácido úrico, sin importar el estado menopáusico. Los demás índices no mostraron ninguna relación. Conclusión: nuestros hallazgos sugieren una asociación entre la obesidad central medida por el ICT y el aumento del estrés oxidativo, independientemente del estado menopáusico. Palabras clave.

Association between hot flashes severity and oxidative stress among Mexican postmenopausal women: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between hot flashes (HFs) severity and oxidative stress (OS) in Mexican postmenopausal women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with perimenopausal women aged 40-59 years community-dwelling from Mexico City, Mexico. They participated in Menopause and Oxidative Stress Project. The baseline sample consisted of 476 women recruited to participate; 161 women were excluded due to different reasons. Hence, 315 women were selected to establish two groups, a) 145 premenopausal women (yet with menstrual bleeding), and b) 170 postmenopausal women (without menses). All women were free of cardiovascular, kidney, hepatic or cancer disease, and without antioxidant supplement intake for at least six months prior to the beginning of the study; none had previously received hormone therapy. As OS markers, we measured plasma malondialdehyde using the TBARS assay, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), uric acid, and total antioxidant status; also, we calculated SOD/GPx ratio, antioxidant gap and an oxidative stress score ranging from 0 to 7. The HFs were evaluated using the Menopause Rating Scale. The women completed Spanish version of the Athens Insomnia Scale, Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale and a questionnaire of pro-oxidant factors. RESULTS: Stress score increased with HFs severity (mild 2.7±0.17, moderate 2.9±0.20 and severe 3.7±0.20, p = 0.001) in postmenopausal women. We observed a positive correlation between HFs severity and stress score, r = 0.247 (p = 0.001) in postmenopausal women; other test scores were not correlated. Severe HFs were a risk factor for OS (OR = 5.12, 95%CI: 1.99-13.17, p<0.05) in an adjusted multivariate analysis by different postmenopausal symptoms and pro-oxidant factors; we did not see any association in premenopausal women. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest an association between HFs severity and OS in Mexican postmenopausal women.

Relación entre el estrés oxidativo y la pérdida de masa muscular en la posmenopausia temprana: estudio exploratorio / Relationship between oxidative stress and muscle mass loss in early postmenopause: an exploratory study

Antecedentes: Los cambios endocrinológicos debidos a la menopausia se han asociado al estrés oxidativo y la pérdida de masa muscular. El objetivo fue determinar la relación entre ambas variables en la posmenopausia temprana. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal exploratorio con 107 mujeres pre- y posmenopáusicas (40-57 años). Como marcadores de estrés oxidativo se midieron los niveles de lipoperóxidos plasmáticos y ácido úrico sérico, las enzimas antioxidantes superóxido dismutasa y glutatión peroxidasa, y la capacidad plasmática antioxidante total. También se midió la masa muscular por impedancia bioeléctrica y la fuerza por dinamometría, y se calculó masa músculo-esquelética, índice de masa esquelética, masa libre de grasa e índice de masa corporal. Resultados: Más del 90% de las participantes fueron diagnosticadas de sobrepeso u obesidad. En las mujeres posmenopáusicas los marcadores de masa y fuerza muscular eran más bajos, con correlación negativa entre el nivel de lipoperóxidos y el índice de masa esquelética (r= -0,326, p< 0,05), y positiva entre el ácido úrico (r=0,295, p< 0,05) y el mismo índice. En un modelo multivariante que incluye los marcadores de estrés oxidativo, edad y circunferencia de cintura, se encontró que el nivel de lipoperóxidos es el que más contribuye a explicar la disminución de la masa esquelética en la posmenopausia; por cada aumento de 0,1μmol/l de lipoperóxidos hay un decremento del índice de masa esquelética de 3,03 unidades. Conclusión: Nuestros hallazgos sugieren una asociación entre el aumento del estrés oxidativo y la pérdida de masa muscular en la posmenopausia temprana

Background: Endocrine changes due to menopause have been associated to oxidative stress and muscle mass loss. The study objective was to determine the relationship between both variables in early postmenopause. Material and methods: An exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted in 107 pre- and postmenopausal women (aged 40-57 years). Levels of serum lipid peroxides and uric acid and enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, as well as total plasma antioxidant capacity were measured as oxidative stress markers. Muscle mass using bioelectrical impedance and muscle strength using dynamometry were also measured. Muscle mass, skeletal muscle index, fat-free mass, and body mass index were calculated. Results: More than 90% of participants were diagnosed with overweight or obesity. Postmenopausal women had lower values of muscle mass and strength markers, with a negative correlation between lipid peroxide level and skeletal muscle index (r= -0.326, p<.05), and a positive correlation between uric acid and skeletal muscle index (r=0.295, p<.05). A multivariate model including oxidative stress markers, age, and waist circumference showed lipid peroxide level to be the main contributor to explain the decrease in skeletal muscle mass in postmenopause, since for every 0.1μmol/l increase in lipid peroxide level, skeletal muscle index decreases by 3.03 units. Conclusion: Our findings suggest an association between increased oxidative stress and muscle mass loss in early postmenopause

Relationship between oxidative stress and muscle mass loss in early postmenopause: an exploratory study. / Relación entre el estrés oxidativo y la pérdida de masa muscular en la posmenopausia temprana: estudio exploratorio.

BACKGROUND: Endocrine changes due to menopause have been associated to oxidative stress and muscle mass loss. The study objective was to determine the relationship between both variables in early postmenopause. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted in 107 pre- and postmenopausal women (aged 40-57 years). Levels of serum lipid peroxides and uric acid and enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, as well as total plasma antioxidant capacity were measured as oxidative stress markers. Muscle mass using bioelectrical impedance and muscle strength using dynamometry were also measured. Muscle mass, skeletal muscle index, fat-free mass, and body mass index were calculated. RESULTS: More than 90% of participants were diagnosed with overweight or obesity. Postmenopausal women had lower values of muscle mass and strength markers, with a negative correlation between lipid peroxide level and skeletal muscle index (r= -0.326, p<.05), and a positive correlation between uric acid and skeletal muscle index (r=0.295, p<.05). A multivariate model including oxidative stress markers, age, and waist circumference showed lipid peroxide level to be the main contributor to explain the decrease in skeletal muscle mass in postmenopause, since for every 0.1µmol/l increase in lipid peroxide level, skeletal muscle index decreases by 3.03 units. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest an association between increased oxidative stress and muscle mass loss in early postmenopause.

Quality of life among post-menopausal women due to oxidative stress boosted by dysthymia and anxiety.

BACKGROUND: Menopause is the onset of aging in women. During this process, some women experience physical changes that may impact upon their psychological and social status, also affecting their quality of life. Furthermore, several psychological changes following menopause have been shown to act as pro-oxidant, but the association between the psychological status that modify the quality of life and oxidative stress in postmenopausal women is still unclear. The aim of this study was to determinate the relationship between oxidative stress with psychological disturbances, low self-esteem, depressive mood and anxiety, and quality of life in the postmenopausal women. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study with101 premenopausal and 101 postmenopausal women from Mexico City. As markers of oxidative stress we measured plasma lipoperoxide levels, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and total antioxidant status. We calculate a stress score as global oxidative stress status, with cut-off values for each parameter; this score range from 0 to 6, representing the severity of markers modifications. All the women were rated using the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scales, and the WHO Quality of Life-brief. RESULTS: The postmenopausal women with low quality of life in the WHO Quality of Life-brief and their subscales had higher stress score compared with premenopausal women with high quality of life (p < 0.05). We found a positive correlation among lipoperoxide levels and Zung Self-Rating Anxiety and Zung Self-Rating Depression score (r = 0.226 and r = 0.173, respectively, p < 0.05), and a negative correlation with WHO Quality of Life-brief scores (r = -0.266, p < 0.01) in postmenopausal women. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that average lipoperoxide levels increase by 0.0007 µmol/L for every 1-point increase in the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory and by 0.001 µmol/L for every 1-point decrease in the WHO Quality of Life-brief, after adjusted for pro-oxidant factors. Zung Self-Rating Anxiety and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scales scores also contribute to increase lipoperoxides levels, but not significant. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that oxidative stress is increased in postmenopausal women with psychological disturbances and low quality of life.

Effects of Hormone Therapy on Oxidative Stress in Postmenopausal Women with Metabolic Syndrome.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oral hormone therapy (HT) on oxidative stress (OS) in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome (MetS). A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out. We formed four groups of 25 women each; healthy (HW) and MetS women (MSW) were assigned to HT (1 mg/day of estradiol valerate plus 5 mg/10 day of medroxiprogesterone) or placebo. We measured plasma lipoperoxides, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, total plasma antioxidant status and uric acid, as OS markers. Alternative cut-off values of each parameter were defined and a stress score (SS) ranging from 0 to 7 was used as total OS. MetS was defined according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII) criteria. Participants were seen at baseline, 3 and 6 months. After 6 months, MetS decreased in MSW-HT (48%), their triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) improved; in the other groups no difference was found. SS in MSW-HT decreased (3.8 ± 0.3 to 1.7 ± 0.3, p < 0.05) and OS was also reduced (44%), this effect was evident since 3 mo. HW-HT with high OS also decreased (40%). In placebo groups there was no change. Our findings suggest that HT improve lipids and OS associated to MetS in postmenopausal women.

[Postmenopausal symptoms severity enhancement oxidative stress in women with metabolic syndrome]. / La severidad de los síntomas posmenopáusicos incrementa el estrés oxidativo en mujeres con síndrome metabólico.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is a serious imbalance between the reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced and the antioxidant systems, and has been identified to cause metabolic syndrome. Postmenopausal women (POS) with severe symptoms have higher oxidative stress; therefore it is possible to observe higher oxidative stress in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome and severe menopause related symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To determinate if the severe postmenopausal symptoms increased oxidative stress in women with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: We carry out a cross-sectional study with POS, 48 with metabolic syndrome and 52 healthy. Control group was defined as women heealthy and without severe symptoms (H-SS). Metabolic syndrome was defined according to criteria established by NCEP-ATPIII. We measured lipoperoxides by the TBARS assay as oxidative stress marker. All women answered the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) that evaluates the severity of global symptoms in three dimensions: psychological, somatic and urogenital; and the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). In each questionnaire was used a cutoff value to determine the severity of symptoms and alternative cut-off value for lipoperoxides > or =0.320 mol/L. RESULTS: The prevalence of high plasma lipoperoxides levels was higher in women with metabolic syndrome (WMS), 39 [81%] vs. 33 [64%], p < 0.05. The WMS, independent of severe symptoms (SS), had high lipoperoxides levels, similar to H+SS, except in urogenital MRS dimen- sion and AIS. The risk of higher lipoperoxides increased with MS and severe symptoms RM=6.32, 95% CI: 1.32-30.20, p < 0.05, adjusted by others pro-oxidants factors. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the severity of menopausal related symptoms increased oxidative stress in women with metabolic syndrome.

[Effect of hormone therapy with estrogens on oxidative stress and quality of life in postmenopausal women]. / Efecto de la terapia hormonal con estrógenos en el estrés oxidativo y la calidad de vida en mujeres posmenopáusicas.

BACKGROUND: Estrogen therapy has an antioxidant effect and improves quality of life. There is no report on estrogen therapy and quality of life in relation to oxidative stress. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of estrogen hormonal therapy on quality of life and oxidative stress in postmenopausal women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a controlled clinical trial including 111 perimenopausal women (40 to 60 years old) living in Mexico City. Women were assigned into three groups: (1) control group, 39 premenopausal women; (2) 33 postmenopausal women receiving oral conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone (0.625 mg/d plus medroxyprogesterone 5 mg/d for 10 days); (3) 33 postmenopausal women taking placebo pills. We measured at baseline and at six months biochemical markers of oxidative stress: lipoperoxides by TBARS assay, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant status (TAS) with Randox Laboratories, Ltd. kits. We also applied the World Health Organization Quality of Life, Brief (WHOQoL-Brief). RESULTS: Levels of lipoperoxides were higher in postmenopausal women with low quality of life vs. premenopausal women with high quality of life (0.357 +/- 0.06 vs0.315 +/- 0.04 micromol/L, p <0.05). Plasma lipoperoxides diminished in women taking hormonal therapy with low quality of life after six months of treatment (0.357 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.293 +/- 0.08 micromol/L, p < 0.01); also, the proportion of women in therapy with basal high lipoperoxides and quality of life average-low diminished (p < 0.05). There were no differences in the other groups. CONCLUSION: Estrogen therapy improves quality of life and reduces lipoperoxides as oxidative stress biomarker in postmenopausal women.

Menopause as risk factor for oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of menopause (hypoestrogenism) as a risk factor for oxidative stress. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study with 187 perimenopausal women from Mexico City, including 94 premenopausal (mean ± SD age, 44.9 ± 4.0 y; estrogen, 95.8 ± 65.7 pg/mL; follicle-stimulating hormone, 13.6 ± 16.9 mIU/mL) and 93 postmenopausal (mean ± SD age, 52.5 ± 3.3 y; estrogen, 12.8 ± 6.8 pg/mL; follicle-stimulating hormone, 51.4 ± 26.9 mIU/mL) women. We measured lipoperoxides using a thiobarbituric acid-reacting substance assay, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and the total antioxidant status with the Randox kit. An alternative cutoff value for lipoperoxide level of 0.320 µmol/L or higher was defined on the basis of the 90th percentile of young healthy participants. All women answered the Menopause Rating Scale, the Athens Insomnia Scale, and a structured questionnaire about pro-oxidant factors, that is, smoking, consumption of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, and physical activity. Finally, we measured weight and height and calculated body mass index. RESULTS: The lipoperoxide levels were significantly higher in the postmenopausal group than in the premenopausal group (0.357 ± 0.05 vs 0.331 ± 0.05 µmol/L, P = 0.001). Using logistic regression to control pro-oxidant variables, we found that menopause was the main risk factor for oxidative stress (odds ratio, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.35-5.11; P < 0.01). We also found a positive correlation between menopause rating score, insomnia score, and lipoperoxides, and this relationship was most evident in the postmenopausal group (menopause scale, r = 0.327 [P = 0.001]; insomnia scale, r = 0.209 [P < 0.05]). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the depletion of estrogen in postmenopause could cause oxidative stress in addition to the known symptoms.