Bothersome symptoms at midlife in relation to body fat percentage.

OBJECTIVES: Increasing obesity has been associated with a higher frequency of symptoms at midlife. Bothersomeness represents an important measure of perceived symptom severity, but has received relatively little consideration, and relationships between symptom bothersomeness and obesity are not known. We evaluated the association between body fat percentage (%BF) and the bothersomeness of symptoms at midlife. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included women aged 40-60 in Qatar (n = 841). Participants reported frequency and bothersomeness of midlife symptoms hypothesized to be related to body composition. Initially, we characterized the relationship between continuous %BF and presence (yes/no) and bothersomeness (yes/no) for each symptom using restricted cubic spline (RCS) models to test nonlinearity. Subsequently, we used multinomial logistic regressions to evaluate associations between %BF and multilevel symptom outcomes, where categories were: (a) no symptoms or bother, (b) symptoms without bothersomeness, and (c) symptoms with bothersomeness. RESULTS: The highest frequency of bothersomeness was reported for aches/stiffness in joints (51%), followed by trouble sleeping (34%), night sweats (21%), urinary incontinence (18%), hot flashes (16%), and shortness of breath (15%). In unadjusted multinomial logistic regressions, aches/stiffness in joints with and without bothersomeness had the same significant relationship with %BF. Bothersome night sweats, urinary incontinence, and hot flashes were significantly associated with %BF (p < .05), but those same symptoms without bothersomeness were not significantly associated with %BF. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that bothersomeness is an important variable that tracks with body fat and gives different information than report of the presence/absence of a symptom alone.

Bone mineral density in midlife women: the Study of Women's Health in Qatar.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate bone mineral density (BMD) for a large cross-section of midlife Arab women living in Qatar and to evaluate the association of body mass index (BMI), menopause status, and nationality, on BMD of the spine and femur. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted among women aged 40-60 years recruited from nine primary-care health centers in Qatar. BMD (g/m(2)) was assessed at the lumbar spine and the femur. RESULTS: The combined prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis was 4% at the femur and 16.2% at the spine. BMI and menstrual status were both independently associated with BMD at the spine and at the femur (all p values < 0.001). As BMI increased, BMD increased at both the spine and femur. Women who menstruated in the past 12 months had 0.82 g/cm(2) and 0.61 g/cm(2) greater BMD at the spine and femur, respectively, compared with women who had not menstruated in 12 months. Nationality was not associated with mean BMD of the spine or the femur. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were observed between Qatari and non-Qatari women in terms of mean BMD values at the spine and the femur except for the femur in the age group 55-60, where values were lower among non-Qataris (p = 0.04). Multivariable analyses showed that BMI and menstrual status were found to be strongly associated with BMD levels at the spine and femur. The high prevalence of obesity observed in this sample may explain the low levels of osteopenia and osteoporosis observed.

Typology and credibility of Internet health websites originating from Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

The quality of information available on health websites in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has not been comprehensively assessed. From November to December 2012 we retrieved all functional health-related websites (n = 925) originating in GCC countries. Data on authorship, language, date, information content and type of site were recorded. A novel website checklist was developed based on the credibility and trust criteria of the Internet assessment organization Health On the Net Foundation (HON). Only 5 sites (0.5%) fulfilled all checklist categories. All websites except one were in English or Arabic languages. Only 10.1% of websites posted a privacy policy, 2.7% stated the authorship of information, 51.0% disclosed website ownership, 80.6% provided contact details and 58.5% dated information. Only 1.7% reported their advertising policy and 23.5% revealed sponsorships. GCC health website owners should consider working with the HON or similar organizations to meet internationally recognized credibility criteria.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine among midlife Arab women living in Qatar.

The prevalence of use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widespread and is growing worldwide. This cross-sectional study in Qatar examined the use of CAM and its correlates among Arab women in their midlife years. Women aged 40-60 years (n = 814) were recruited at primary care centres in Qatar and completed a specially designed, pre-tested questionnaire. Overall, 38.2% of midlife women in Qatar had used CAM in the previous 12 months. Nutritional remedies and herbal remedies were the most commonly used CAM therapies, followed by physical methods. Qatari nationality and higher level of education were independently associated with CAM use. Menopause transition status was not independently associated with use of CAM. The prevalence of CAM use by women in Qatar was high, consistent with other reports worldwide. It is essential to educate and inform patients and health-care providers about the benefits and limitations associated with CAM.

The hopeless age? A qualitative exploration of the experience of menopause in Arab women in Qatar.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was qualitatively to describe and examine the expectations and experiences of the midlife transition in Arab women living in Qatar. METHOD: Six focus groups were conducted with Arab women living in Qatar: three groups of local Qatari women, and three groups of non-Qatari Arab women originating from neighboring countries. A purposive sample of 41 pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal women aged 40-60 years participated. The semi-structured group format encouraged discussion around knowledge about menopause; physical, emotional and social experiences related to menopause; and cultural differences that may exist related to menopause. RESULTS: The majority of women considered menopause as a maturing experience, although the term 'menopause' was considered to have negative connotations. Postmenopausal women described menopausal symptoms consistent with general knowledge, but many premenopausal women were unaware of symptoms, even if they knew someone who had experienced menopause. Postmenopausal women were more socially active than before and were able to participate in religious activities that they previously could not attend during menses. How a woman experienced menopause depended on the husband's level of support, and some women believed that Western women did not have the appropriate support from husbands and families that Arab women have; they felt this lack of support could lead to negative outcomes such as being at an increased risk for suicide caused by depression during menopause. CONCLUSION: Qatari and non-Qatari women had many similarities in how they perceived and experienced menopause, although they collectively believed that the experiences of Western women are different.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine among midlife Arab women living in Qatar

The prevalence of use of complementary and alternative medicine [CAM] is widespread and is growing worldwide. This cross-sectional study in Qatar examined the use of CAM and its correlates among Arab women in their midlife years. Women aged 40-60 years [n = 814] were recruited at primary care centres in Qatar and completed a specially designed, pre-tested questionnaire. Overall, 38.2% of midlife women in Qatar had used CAM in the previous 12 months. Nutritional remedies and herbal remedies were the most commonly used CAM therapies, followed by physical methods. Qatari nationality and higher level of education were independently associated with CAM use. Menopause transition status was not independently associated with use of CAM. The prevalence of CAM use by women in Qatar was high, consistent with other reports worldwide. It is essential to educate and inform patients and health-care providers about the benefits and limitations associated with CAM

L'utilisation des médecines complémentaires et parallèles est largement prévalent et en augmentation dans le monde. La présente étude transversale au Qatar à examiné le recours aux médecines complémentaires et parallèles et ses corrélats chez des femmes arabes en milieu de vie. Des femmes âgées de 40 à 60 ans [n = 814] ont été recrutées dans des centres de soins de santé primaires au Qatar et ont rempli un questionnaire spécialement conçu ayant été testé au préalable. Au total 38,2% des femmes en milieu de vie interrogées vivant au Qatar avaient eu recours aux médecines complémentaires et parallèles durant les 12 mois précédents. Des remèdes nutritionnels et à base de plantes étaient les traitements complémentaires et parallèles les plus fréquemment utilisés, suivis par des méthodes physiques. La nationalité qatarie et un niveau d'études plus élevé étaient indépendamment associés à l'utilisation de médecines complémentaires et parallèles. Le statut de transition ménopausique n'était pas indépendamment associé à l'utilisation de ces médecines. La prévalence de leur utilisation chez les femmes au Qatar était élevée et concordait avec les études menées sur le sujet dans d'autre pays du monde. Il est essentiel d'éduquer et d'informer les patientes et les prestataires de soins de santé sur les bénéfices et les limites associés aux médecines complémentaires et parallèles

إن استخدام الطب المتمم والبديل منتر عى نطاق واسع، وهو في تزايد في جميع أنحاء العالم. وقد قامت هذه الدراسةالمستعرضة في قَطَر بدراسة استخدام الطب المتمم والبديل وارتباطاته لدى نساء عربيات في سنوات منتصف أعمارهن. فقد تطوعت60 سنة )العدد = 814 ( في مراكز الرعاية الصحية الأولية في قَطَر، وقمنَ بملء استبيان مصمَّم خصيصاً تم اختباره - نساء بأعار 40مسبقاً. فكان ما إجماليه 38.2 % من النساء في منتصف العمر في قَطَر قد استخدمن الطب المتمم والبديل في ال 12 شهراً السابقة.وكانت العلاجات الغذائية والعلاجات العشبية أكثر معالجات الطب المتمم والبديل شيوعاً في الاستخدام، تلتها الطرق الفيزيائية.وكانت الجنسية القطرية ومستوى التعليم الأعى مرتبطة - بشكل مستقل - مع استخدام الطب المتمم والبديل. ولم تكن حالة سنالإياس الانتقالية مرتبطة - بشكل مستقل - مع استخدام الطب المتمم والبديل. وكان انتشار استخدام الطب المتمم والبديل منقِبَل النساء في قَطَر مرتفعاً، با يتفق مع تقارير أخرى من جميع أنحاء العالم. وخلصت الدراسة إلى أن من الروري تثقيف المرضىومقدِّمي الرعاية الصحية وإطلاعهم عى الفوائد والقيود المرتبطة بالطب المتمم والبديل

Typology and credibility of Internet health websites originating from Gulf Cooperation Council countries

The quality of information available on health websites in the Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC] countries has not been comprehensively assessed. From November to December 2012 we retrieved all functional health-related websites [n - 925] originating in GCC countries. Data on authorship, language, date,information content and type of site were recorded. A novel website checklist was developed based on the credibility and trust criteria of the Internet assessment organization Health On the Net Foundation [HON]. Only 5 sites [0.5%] fulfilled all checklist categories. All websites except one were in English or Arabic languages.Only 10.1% of websites posted a privacy policy, 2.7% stated the authorship of information, 51.0% disclosed website ownership,80.6% provided contact details and 58.5% dated information. Only 1.7% reported their advertising policy and 23.5% revealed sponsorships. GCC health website owners should consider working with the HON or similar organizations to meet internationally recognized credibility criteria

La qualité des informations disponibles sur les sites Web de santé des pays du Conseil de Coopération du Golfe n'a pas été évaluée de manière exhaustive. De novembre à décembre 2012, nous avons répertorié tous les sites Web actifs consacrées aux questions de santé [n = 925] créés dans des pays du Conseil de Coopération du Golfe. Les données sur les auteurs, la langue, la date et les informations disponibles ainsi que sur le type de site Web ont été enregistrées. Une nouvelle liste de contrôle des sites Web innovante a été élaborée à partir des critères de crédibilité et de confiance de la fondation Health On the Net [HON]- la Santé sur Internet, organisme d'évaluation des sites Web. Seuls cinq sites [0,5 %] avaient des résultats satisfaisants pour toutes les catégories de la liste de contrôle. Tous les sites Web, sauf un, étaient en langue anglaise ou langue arabe. Seuls 10,1 % des sites avaient publié une politique de confidentialité ; 2,7 % citaient les auteurs des informations ; 51,0 % révélaient l'identité du propriétaire du site ; 80,6 % fournissaient des coordonnées et 58,5 % avaient daté les informations publiées. Seuls 1,7 % précisait leur politique en matière de publicité et 23,5 % indiquaient les parrainages. Les propriétaires des sites dédiés à la santé dans des pays du Conseil de Coopération du Golfe devraient envisager de collaborer avec la fondation HON ou des organisations similaires pour satisfaire aux critères de crédibilité internationalement reconnus