RESUMO
There are limited data on the factors associated with menopausal hot flashes, a common and potentially morbid condition. The objective of this study was to identify predictors of menopausal hot flashes. To meet this objective, 233 naturally perimenopausal or post-menopausal women (ages 45-65) attending a large urban hospital center primary care clinic, mammography unit, or women's health practice were enrolled. The women responded to a self-administered questionnaire assessing selected demographic factors, reproductive history, and behavioral factors. Sixty-seven percent of respondents experienced hot flashes, with 63% reporting frequent hot flashes (at least one hot flash per day) and 60% with hot flashes describing the hot flashes as severe. Women with hot flashes were significantly more likely to have mothers who experienced hot flashes (OR = 4.4, CI = 2.0-10.0) or to be smokers (OR = 2.0, CI = 1.2-3.5). There were no statistically significant associations between hot flashes and other selected demographic, reproductive, or behavior characteristics. These results reveal that menopausal hot flashes are associated with a maternal history of hot flashes as well as with cigarette smoking. These results may help physicians to counsel their patients about smoking cessation.
Assuntos
Fogachos/etiologia , Menopausa/fisiologia , Idoso , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Fogachos/fisiopatologia , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Análise Multivariada , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Prevalência , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Fumar/efeitos adversos , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
In this study, directors of primary care residency programs were sent a questionnaire that asked for information about their program and examined their perceptions of program curricula and resident mastery of seven preselected topics in women's health. An elective ambulatory gynecology experience was offered in 52% of programs, and 35% of programs had all residents experience such a rotation. All seven selected topics were felt to be important for residents to master, but the prevalence of structured teaching experiences and resident mastery for each topic varied widely. For the majority of programs, domestic violence was not a curricular component. However, 44% of respondents spontaneously commented that they were expanding their curriculum in the area of women's health.
