Ethnicity and vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if there is a difference in the prevalence of vasomotor symptoms between African American and white postmenopausal women.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate baseline vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women enrolled in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of dietary soy supplements. The Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL) vasomotor subscale was used to measure vasomotor symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats.


RESULTS
In total, 104 African American and 112 white postmenopausal women (mean age 56.8 +/- 5.6 years) were studied. A multiple linear regression analysis, which controlled for differences in body mass index (BMI) and dietary fat intake, showed that race and age were significantly and independently associated with vasomotor symptoms, explaining 10% of the variance (p < 0.001). Being African American and younger age were associated with increased vasomotor symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The most prevalent postmenopausal symptoms were vasomotor symptoms, which were more bothersome in African American women compared with white women. Factors associated with vasomotor symptoms included race, BMI, and dietary intake of fat calories. Implications for practice include increasing provider awareness to discuss vasomotor symptoms and the need for treatment in postmenopausal African American women. Further research to increase our understanding of racial differences and associated factors that influence the duration and intensity of vasomotor symptoms experienced by postmenopausal women is needed.
Appling
Susan
S
Prevention and Research Center, The Weinberg Center at Mercy, Mercy Health Services, Baltimore, MD 21202-2001, USA. sappling@mdmercy.com
Paez
Kathryn
K
Allen
Jerilyn
J
D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000208:ethnology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014666:Vasomotor System; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology*