title: Assessment of Questionnaire Measuring Quality of Life in Menopausal Women: A Systematic Review.
abstract: Menopause is a natural part of the aging process in women and is defined as occurring 12 months after the last menstrual period marking the end of menstrual cycles. Menopause has a negative impact on the quality of life (QoL). Various generic and specific questionnaires have been used for assessing different dimensions of QoL in menopausal women. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify those general and specific instruments, and to determine the factors that affect QoL in menopausal women. We assessed eight specific and three general tools and found that some general and specific instruments, such as the 36-item short form (SF-36) and the Menopause Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL), were mostly used for assessment. The specific tools available were diverse. Employment status and a high educational level in menopausal women were considered to be protective factors in improving QoL. Identification of predicting factors of QoL, such as body mass index, race, age, duration of menopause, and social and occupational variables can help to improve the QoL of these women allowing planning of psychological consultations and practical interventions.
authors.affiliation: Mother and Child Care Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ensiyeh
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jenabi
authors.affiliation: Mother and Child Care Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shobeiri
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Health Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyyed M M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hazavehei
authors.affiliation: Modeling of Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ghodratollah
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roshanaei
keywords: Postmenopause; Quality of Life; Questionnaires; Review, Systematic; Women