Síntomas climatéricos y calidad de vida de usuarias de consultorios de atención primaria de salud, Santiago / Lifestyles and quality of life of post menopausal women

ABSTRACT

Background: During menopause the quality of life of women can be seriously deteriorated and influenced by lifestyles. Aim: To assess the prevalence of menopausal symptoms and their relationship with lifestyles and quality of life. Material and Methods: The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), a survey that measures menopausal symptoms and has questions related to lifestyles, was applied to 1023 women aged 54 ± 6years (range 45 to 64years), consulting in primary health care clinics. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between menopausal symptoms and lifestyle. Results: Fifty six percent of women did not have a paid work, 64 percent were nonsmokers and 90 percent did not perform any physical exercise. The most frequent menopausal symptoms referred were muscle and joint ailments (85 percent) followed by mental and physical exhaustion (80 percent). Sedentary women, smokers or those who did not to have time for leisure activities showed worst quality of life scores. Conclusions: Postmenopausal women with unhealthy lifestyles had the lower quality of life scores and more menopausal symptoms.