Obesity is associated with a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in middle-aged women.

Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) has been recently linked with high plasma leptin levels. Our objective was to study if obese women, who have higher leptin levels, could have a higher frequency of MSP. We studied 6079 Latin-American women, 40-59 years old. Their epidemiological data were recorded and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), Golberg Anxiety and Depression Scale and Insomnia Scale were applied. MSP was defined as a score ≥2 on MRS11. Women with MSP were slightly older, had fewer years of schooling and were more sedentary. They also complained of more severe menopausal symptoms (29.2% versus. 4.4%, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, they had a higher abdominal perimeter (87.2 ± 12.0 cm versus 84.6 ± 11.6 cm, p < 0.0001) and a higher prevalence of obesity (23.1% versus 15.2%, p < 0.0001). Compared to normal weight women, those with low body weight (IMC <18.5) showed a lower risk of MSP (OR 0.71; 95%CI, 0.42-1.17), overweight women had a higher risk (OR 1.64; 95%CI, 1.44-1.87) and obese women the highest risk (OR 2.06; 95%CI, 1.76-2.40). Logistic regression analysis showed that obesity is independently associated to MSP (OR 1.34; 95%CI, 1.16-1.55). We conclude that obesity is one identifiable risk factor for MSP in middle-aged women.

Resultados de una encuesta epidemiológica de hábitos de higiene íntima en mujeres latinoamericanas / Resultof of an epidemiological survery about hygiene habits in latin american women

Describir los hábitos higiénicos íntimos femeninos de algunas mujeres de Latinoamérica durante 2008. Se aplicó una encuesta piloto, previamente diseñada, a un total de mil mujeres que acudieron a la consulta de un grupo de ginecólogos de Latinoamérica durante 2008 y aceptaron contestar voluntariamente la encuesta. Los países participantes fueron: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, México, Panamá, Perú, República Dominicana y Venezuela. El 95,4 por ciento de las mujeres refirió realizar aseo corporal una o más veces al día y 2,8 por ciento, una o dos veces por semana. El 71 por ciento realiza aseo del área genital de adelante hacia atrás (de vulva a ano). El tipo de jabón más comúnmente usado es el jabón en barra, seguido de la presentación líquida. Se evidenció un porcentaje de 66,9 por ciento de mujeres que depilan su área genital. El área circunscrita al bikini es la más depilada con 32,8 por ciento y la depilación del área genital en su totalidad es de 28,8 por ciento. El material de la ropa interior en la región vulvar más utilizado por las mujeres latinoamericanas encuestadas es el algodón (65,5 por ciento), que sumado a 20,2 por ciento de las mujeres que utilizan ropa interior de cualquier material con algodón fue cercano al 86 por ciento. En relación con el uso de elementos de aseo genital durante las relaciones sexuales, 29,7 por ciento de las mujeres encuestadas refiere utilizar duchas vaginales; de las cuales 42 por ciento refirió su uso siempre que tiene relaciones sexuales y 43 por ciento, ocasionalmente. A la costumbre de orinar antes y después de tener relaciones sexuales se encontró que 37,9 por ciento de las mujeres orina después del coito; 17 por ciento, antes y 11,8 por ciento orina antes y después. Las mujeres realizan en un gran porcentaje lavado de manos después de orinar o defecar, pero el hábito de lavarse las manos antes, sigue siendo bajo. En cuanto a la técnica de aseo genital, el porcentaje de técnica inadecuada...

To describe the intimate hygienic feminine habits of some women of Latin-America during 2008. A previously designed pilot survey was applied to a total of one thousand women who assisted to the office of a group of gynecologists of Latin America during 2008 and agreed to voluntarily answer the survey. The participant countries were: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic and Venezuela.95.4 percent of these women practiced corporal hygiene at least once daily and 2.8 percent, once or twice a week. 71 percent cleaned their genital area backwards (from vulva to anus). The type of soap most commonly used is the bar soap followed by liquid body wash. Evidence showed that 66.9 percent of women depilate their genital area. The bikini surrounding area is the most depilated one, with a 32.8 percent and the total depilation of the genital area is 28.8 percent. Cotton is the most commonly used material for underwear on the vulvar area by surveyed Latin American women (65.5 percent), which added to a 20.2 percent of women who use underwear of any material with cotton was nearly 86 percent. When the use of genital hygiene devices during sexual intercourse is questioned, 29.7 percent of the surveyed women opted to use vaginal showers; of which 42 percent used it every time they had sexual intercourse and 43 percent just occasionally. In relation to the habit of urinating before and after having sexual intercourse it was established that 37.9 percent of women urinate after the coitus; 17 percent before it, and 11.8 percent urinates before and after. Women, in a great percentage, wash their hands after urinating or defecating, but the habit of washing their hands before is still not as frequent. Regarding the genital (feminine) hygiene technique, the percentage of "inadequate" hygiene technique is surprisingly as low as about 28 percent. With this in mind, it is fundamental to reinforce training, improve information...