A pragmatic approach to the classification of menopausal status for community-based research.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this article was to describe a pragmatic approach to the menopausal status classification of clinical research study participants that allows for women who have gynecological circumstances that mask their natural menstrual pattern.


METHODS
We demonstrate the application of an algorithm for the Health and Wellbeing After Breast Cancer study based on self-reported menstrual cycle pattern, gynecological history, presence or absence of vasomotor symptoms, and systemic hormone use to classify women with newly diagnosed breast cancer as premenopausal, perimenopausal, or postmenopausal for research purposes.


RESULTS
Within 12 months of their breast cancer diagnosis, 1,684 participants, mean +/- SD age 57.4 +/- 11.9 years, completed a comprehensive women's health questionnaire. Menopausal status in 71.8% of the women was classified by reported bilateral oophorectomy, age, greater than 12 months of amenorrhea, or regular menstrual cycles and absence of symptoms. Status in the remainder was classified by progression through the decision tree.


CONCLUSIONS
The Health and Wellbeing After Breast Cancer study menopausal classification algorithm is a useful tool for research involving female participants that allows for the classification of women who have had a hysterectomy and/or use systemic hormonal contraception or hormone therapy.
Bell
Robin J
RJ
Department of Medicine, Women's Health Program, Central and Eastern Clinical School, Monash Medical School, Alfred Hospital, Prahran, Victoria, Australia.
Lijovic
Marijana
M
Fradkin
Pam
P
Davis
Susan R
SR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health