Experience of menopausal symptoms by Chinese and Canadian women.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the differences in frequency and distress caused by menopausal symptoms experienced by Canadian and Chinese women.


METHODS
Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in Canada and China.


METHODS
The Canadian studies were conducted in Toronto. The Chinese data were collected in Guangzhou City.


METHODS
Women, 47-62 years old, 2-7 years after a natural menopause, were recruited.


METHODS
Two hundred and eighty-two Canadians were recruited for two menopause studies. Data from 297 Chinese were obtained through a household survey. From a 105-item symptom questionnaire, women indicated the frequency and distress caused by symptoms in the previous month.


METHODS
Frequency and mean distress score of problems were ranked and compared. Using the importance score method, a Chinese questionnaire was constructed and compared with the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire.


RESULTS
The frequency of symptoms and distress experienced by Canadian and Chinese women differed markedly. Fourteen of the 29 items differed between the Chinese questionnaire and the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire.


CONCLUSIONS
There are striking differences between Chinese and Canadian women in the frequency and distress caused by menopausal symptoms. The Canadian questionnaire may not be relevant for Chinese women.
Hilditch
J R
JR
Primary Care Research Unit, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Canada.
Chen
S
S
Norton
P G
PG
Lewis
J
J
D000339:Affect; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004651:Employment; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007989:Libido; D008568:Memory; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D011788:Quality of Life; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013546:Sweating; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology