Abstract
BACKGROUND: Postmenopausal symptomatology has not been elucidated in large, long-term human clinical trials. Our objective was to measure quality of life in postmenopausal women aged 50-70 years. METHODS: A Menopause-Specific Quality of Life-Intervention (MENQOL) questionnaire was completed by women enrolled in the Minnesota Green Tea Trial (n=932) to assess vasomotor, physical, sexual, and psychosocial symptoms in the years following menopause. Responses were coded; mean overall and domain scores ranged from 1 to 8. A higher score indicated more severe symptoms. RESULTS: Mean overall MENQOL scores were highest in women aged 50-54.9 years. A pattern of reduced symptom severity with increasing age was observed overall and within each domain. Women aged 50-54.9 years had more severe night sweats and sweating than other age groups (P≤0.001) and more severe hot flashes than women aged≥60years (P≪0.001). No differences between age groups were seen on mean score in the Sexual domain. Compared with women aged 50.0-54.9 years (the reference group), study participants aged 60-64.9 and≥65years had lower MENQOL scores in the Psychosocial domain (P=0.029 and P≪0.001). Women aged 50-54.9 years had more severe symptoms related to negative mood than women ≥65 years (P≤0.009). Compared with women aged 50-54.9 years, those in the age groups 60-64.9 and≥65 years had lower scores for "poor memory" (2.98±1.75 and 2.66±1.68 vs. 3.43±1.87, P≪0.001). Women≥65 years reported lower scores for "feeling tired or worn out", "difficulty sleeping", and "lack of energy" than all other age groups (P≤0.003). CONCLUSION: The findings of this descriptive analysis of postmenopausal women may help clinicians counsel women about expectations and treatment options to address menopause-associated symptoms and the relationship between postmenopausal symptoms and overall health.