title: [Correlation between subjective and objective measurement of climacteric women's hot flashes].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purposes of this study were to explain the phenomena of hot flashes in climacteric women by using Mexameter, Skin Thermometer, Corneometer, and Laser Doppler Perfusion Imager (LDPI) objectively and to identify the interrelation between the subjective and objective measurements of hot flashes by comparing the two as reported in retrospective questionnaires.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants were one hundred women (45-60 yr) who were not currently on hormone therapy, and had reached hot flash scores of 10 or higher. Hot flashes were measured in a temperature and humidity controlled room for 7 hr from 10 am to 5 pm. Hot flashes were measured subjectively and recorded via the Hot Flash Diary Report. When participants felt the hot flashes, they were measured objectively by Mexameter, Skin Thermometer, Corneometer, and LDPI .
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of hot flashes in participants ranged from 1 to 7 times. When hot flashes occurred in participants, the erythema, skin temperature, skin hydration, and blood perfusion showed statistically significant changes in all measurements. But, the subjective and objective measurements of hot flashes showed only weak correlations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results indicate a need for future research with subjective and objective measuring instruments chosen depending variations identified for the study.
authors.affiliation: College of Korean Medicine, Semyung University, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung-Jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kang-Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Leem
authors.forename: Myoung-Hee
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D002979:Climacteric; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D005145:Face / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology