Background factors influencing somatic and psychological symptoms in middle-age women with different hormonal status. A population-based study of Swedish women.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the influence of socio-demographic characteristics and environmental factors on self-reported somatic and psychological symptoms among middle-aged Swedish women.


METHODS
A total of 6917 women living in the Lund area of southern Sweden were participates of this study. They completed a generic questionnaire pertaining to socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors and current health related problems. According to hormonal status, the participants were subdivided into three groups, i.e. premenopause, postmenopause and peri- or postmenopausal women with hormone replacement therapy (HRT).


RESULTS
By using multiple logistic regression models, a high risk for somatic symptoms was independently associated with unemployment, no exercise, unmarried, high body weight and diseases affecting the cardiovascular system as well as a history of cancer. Psychological symptoms were independently associated with higher educational level, unemployment, no exercise, unmarried, heavy smoking habits (> or =15 cig/day), weight gain and a history of cancer. In addition, the background factors seemed to have less impact on symptoms among women who used HRT.


CONCLUSIONS
Socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors and concurrent health problems appear to have influences on the frequency and the number of somatic and psychological symptoms in middle-age women. Hormone replacement therapy seems to be able to counteract negative impacts caused by un-healthy lifestyle and other health problems.
Li
Cairu
C
Department of Community Medicine, Malmö University Hospital, S-20502 Malmo, Sweden. cairu.li@smi.mas.lu.se
Borgfeldt
Christer
C
Samsioe
Göran
G
Lidfeldt
Jonas
J
Nerbrand
Chirstina
C
D000367:Age Factors; D004522:Educational Status; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D017533:Marital Status; D008593:Menopause / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology*; D008594:Menopause, Premature / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology*; D017584:Reproductive History; D012907:Smoking; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
D004967:Estrogens