Relation of Demographic and Lifestyle Factors to Symptoms in a Multi-Racial/Ethnic Population of Women 40-55 Years of Age

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Abstract
A community-based survey was conducted during 1995–1997 of factors related to menopausal and other symptoms in a multi-racial/ethnic sample of 16,065 women aged 40–55 years. Each of seven sites comprising the Study of Women's Health across the Nation (SWAN) surveyed one of four minority populations and a Caucasian population. The largest adjusted prevalence odds ratios for all symptoms, particularly hot flashes or night sweats (odds ratios = 2.06–4.32), were for women who were peri- or postmenopausal. Most symptoms were reported least frequently by Japanese and Chinese (odds ratios = 0.47–0.67 compared with Caucasian) women. African-American women reported vasomotor symptoms and vaginal dryness more (odds ratios = 1.17–1.63) but urine leakage and difficulty sleeping less (odds ratios = 0.64–0.72) than Caucasians. Hispanic women reported urine leakage, vaginal dryness, heart pounding, and forgetfulness more (odds ratios = 1.22–1.85). Hot flashes or night sweats, urine leakage, and stiffness or soreness were associated with a high body mass index (odds ratios = 1.15–2.18 for women with a body mass index ≥27 vs. 19–26.9 kg/m2). Most symptoms were reported most frequently among women who had difficulty paying for basics (odds ratios = 1.15–2.05), who smoked (odds ratios = 1.21–1.78), and who rated themselves less physically active than other women their age (odds ratios = 1.24–2.33). These results suggest that lifestyle, menstrual status, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status affect symptoms in this age group. Am J Epidemiol 2000;152:463–73.

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