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Vascular Dysfunction During Menopausal Transition
Menopause; ePub 2018 Apr 9; Hildreth, et al
Vascular dysfunction across the stages of menopause is associated with greater frequency and severity of menopausal symptoms and lower quality of life, but not depression, according to a recent study. Researchers measured arterial stiffness, endothelial function, menopausal symptoms, depression, and quality of life (QOL) in 138 premenopausal women. They found:
- Menopausal symptoms, depression, and QOL worsened across menopause stages, particularly in late perimenopausal women.
- Vasosomatic symptom frequency and general somatic symptom frequency and severity were inversely correlated with carotid artery compliance and FMD.
- Only correlations with general somatic symptoms were significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons.
- Total QOL was positively correlated with carotid artery compliance.
Citation:
Hildreth KL, Ozemek C, Kohrt WM, Blatchford P, Moreau KL. Vascular dysfunction across the stages of the menopausal transition is associated with menopausal symptoms and quality of life. [Published online ahead of print April 9, 2018]. Menopause. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001112.