Musculoskeletal pain and menopausal status.
OBJECTIVE
The authors examined whether self-reported menopausal status is associated with musculoskeletal pain in a multiethnic population of community-dwelling middle-aged women after considering sociodemographics, medical factors, smoking, depression, and body mass index using a cross-sectional study design.


METHODS
Participants were 2218 women from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation assessed at the time of their third annual follow-up exam. Two dependent variables were derived from a factor analysis of survey questions about pain. These 2 outcomes were Aches and Pains, derived from 5 of 6 pain symptom questions and Consultation for Low Back Pain, derived from 1 question.


RESULTS
Prevalence of aches and pains was high, with 1 in 6 women reporting daily symptoms. Compared with premenopausal women, those who were early perimenopausal (P=0.002), late perimenopausal (P=0.002), or postmenopausal (P<0.0001) reported significantly more aches and pains in age-adjusted analysis. With complete risk factor adjustment, postmenopausal women still reported significantly greater pain symptoms (P=0.03) than did premenopausal women. Menopausal status was marginally related to consulting a healthcare provider for back pain.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates an association between pain and self-reported menopausal status, with postmenopausal women experiencing greater pain symptoms than premenopausal women.
Dugan
Sheila A
SA
Department of Neurosurgery and Physical Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. sheila_dugan@rush.edu
Powell
Lynda H
LH
Kravitz
Howard M
HM
Everson Rose
Susan A
SA
Karavolos
Kelly
K
Luborsky
Judith
J
D000328:Adult; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States