title: Relationship between menopause and health-related quality of life in middle-aged Chinese women: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chinese menopausal women comprise a large population and the women in it experience menopausal symptoms in many different ways. Their health related quality of life (HRQOL) is not particularly well studied. Our study intends to evaluate the influence of menopause on HRQOL and explore other risk factors for HRQOL in rural China.
  
  
  METHODS
  An interview study was conducted from June to August 2010 in Beijing based on cross-sectional design. 1,351 women aged 40-59 were included in the study. HRQOL was measured using the EuroQol Group's 5-domain (EQ5D) questionnaire. Comparison of HRQOL measures (EQ5D index and EQ5D-VAS scores) was done between different menopausal groups. Logistic regression and multiple regression analysis were performed to adjust potential confounders and explore other risk factors for health problems and HRQOL measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postmenopausal women who had menopause for 2-5 years (+1b stage) were more likely to suffer mobility problems (OR = 1.835, p = 0.008) after multiple adjustment. Menopause was also related to impaired EQ5D index and EQ5D-VAS scores after adjustment for age. Among menopausal groups categorized by menopausal duration, a consistent decrement in EQ5D index and EQ5D-VAS scores, that is, worsening HRQOL, was observed (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed low education level and physical activity were associated with EQ5D index (β = -0.080, p = 0.003, and β = 0.056, p = 0.040, respectively). Cigarette smoking and chronic disease were associated with EQ5D index (β = -0.135, p < 0.001 and β = -0.104, p < 0.001, respectively) and EQ5D-VAS (β = -0.057, P = 0.034 and β = -0.214, p < 0.001, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reduction in physical function was found within the first five years after menopause. Worsening EQ5D index and EQ5D-VAS scores were related to menopause. Education level, physical activity, cigarette smoking, and chronic disease history were associated with HRQOL in middle aged Chinese rural women.
authors.forename: Kuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Liu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Xun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Jinwei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yiqun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Jingrong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zongxin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jianjiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Haitao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Liping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China. yhhu@bjmu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Yonghua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009043:Motor Activity; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D017698:Postmenopause; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012907:Smoking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires