title: Correlation of Menopausal Symptoms and Quality of Life with Physical Performance in Middle-Aged Women.
abstract: Introduction Some studies have investigated the influence of hormonal deficits and menopausal status in muscle disorders of women. However, it has not been investigated the relationship of both climacteric symptoms and the perception of quality of life with physical performance. Objective To evaluate the correlation of menopausal symptoms and quality of life with physical performance in middle-aged women. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed from April to November 2013 in the municipality of Parnamirim, in the Brazilian state, Rio Grande do Norte. The sample was composed of 497 women aged 40-65 years. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and the Utian Quality of Life (UQOL) questionnaire were used to evaluate menopausal symptoms and quality of life respectively. Measures of physical performance included handgrip strength, knee extensor and flexor strengths (using an isometric dynamometer), gait speed, and chair stand test. The correlation between menopausal symptoms and quality of life with physical performance was assessed by Pearson's correlation coefficient with significance set at p < 0.05 and a confidence interval of 95%. Results There was a significant negative correlation between handgrip strength and somatic MRS score (p = 0.002) and total MRS score (p = 0.03). There was a significant correlation between knee flexor strength and sit-to-stand time and all menopausal symptom areas (p < 0.05), except psychological symptoms. There was a positive correlation between physical performance of the knee flexors and quality of life items including occupational (p = 0.001), emotional (p = 0.005), and total UQOL (p = 0.01), but a negative correlation with sit-to-stand time and all quality of life domains (p < 0.05). Conclusion A greater intensity of menopausal symptoms and worse quality of life were related with worse physical performance. Thus, preventive measures should be implemented to avoid adverse effects on physical performance at more advanced ages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rívea Trindade da
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences of Trairi, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Saionara Maria Aires da
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Câmara
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mayle Andrade
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafaela Andrade do
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana Carmem Apolinário
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Center, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Socorro Medeiros de
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Morais
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Álvaro Campos Cavalcanti
authors.initials: ÁC
authors.lastname: Maciel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D011788:Quality of Life