Correlates of age at natural menopause: a community-based study in Alexandria

Differences in the age at natural menopause were examined using a retrospective population sample of 289 naturally menopausal women. The mean age at natural menopause was 46.70 +/- 5.44 years. Earlier menopause occurred in women living in semiurban areas, divorced/separated and less educated women, and women who were younger at: first marriage, widowhood, divorce/separation and first or last full-term pregnancy. Later menopause occurred in women who had: irregular menstrual periods before 25 years, dysmenorrhoea and mid-cycle spotting. Duration of oral contraceptives use, weight and body mass index were significantly positively correlated with age at natural menopause. Multiple regression analyses indicated that age at last full-term pregnancy, residence, pattern of menstrual cessation and duration of oral contraceptive use were the significant predictors of the end of menstrual activity

Personality profile of the institutionalized elderly in Alexandria

The personality profile of the institutionalized elderly has been studied in Alexandria. The correlation coefficient and regression procedures were used in analysing the results, where the "t" test was used for assessing the significance at the 5% level. Significant positive correlations were encountered between obsession, depression, psychosomatism, anxiety, phobia and hysteria but no correlation was found between hysteria and psychosomatism. It was concluded that : [1] aging is not a disease but a developmental stage entailing special biological and psychological changes, and [2] old people with somatic disease, or who are lonely, isolated, inactive or with social problems are at special risk