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The impact of menopause on health-related quality of life: results from the STRIDE longitudinal study

Abstract

Purpose  

We examine the impact of menopausal status, beyond menopausal symptoms, on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods  

Seven hundred thirty-two women aged 40–65, regardless of health condition or menopausal status, were enrolled from single
general internal medicine practice. Women completed annual questionnaires including HRQoL, and menopausal status and symptoms.

Results  

The physical health composite of the RAND-36 is lower in late peri (45.6, P < .05), early post (45.4, P < .05), and late postmenopausal women (44.6, P < .01), and those who report a hysterectomy (44.2, P < .01) compared to premenopausal women (47.1), with effect sizes of Cohen’s d = .12-.23. The mental health composite of the RAND-36 is lower in late peri (44.7, P < .01), early post (44.9, P < .01), and late postmenopausal women (45.0, P < .05) and those who report a hysterectomy (44.2, P < .01) compared to premenopausal women (46.8), with effect sizes of Cohen’s d = .15–.20. Findings are comparable adjusted for menopausal symptom frequency and bother.

Conclusions  

Over a 5-year follow-up period, we found a negative impact of menopause on some domains of HRQoL, regardless of menopausal
symptoms. Clinicians should be aware of this relationship and work to improve HRQoL, rather than expect it to improve spontaneously
when menopausal symptoms resolve.

  • Content Type Journal Article
  • Pages 1-10
  • DOI 10.1007/s11136-011-9959-7
  • Authors
    • Rachel Hess, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 230 McKee Place, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
    • Rebecca C. Thurston, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
    • Ron D. Hays, Department of Medicine, The David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
    • Chung-Chou H. Chang, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 230 McKee Place, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
    • Stacey N. Dillon, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 230 McKee Place, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
    • Roberta B. Ness, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
    • Cindy L. Bryce, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 230 McKee Place, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
    • Wishwa N. Kapoor, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 230 McKee Place, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
    • Karen A. Matthews, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA