Global cross-sectional survey of women with vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause: prevalence and quality of life burden

Abstract

Objective: To determine prevalence and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) in postmenopausal women in Europe, the US, and Japan, and among subgroups of women not taking hormone therapy (HT).Methods: Screening surveys were sent to a random sample of women aged 40 to 65 years; full questionnaires followed to those who completed them and met inclusion criteria. Women with successfully treated VMS, breast cancer, or on HT for medical conditions were excluded. The Menopause-Specific QOL (MENQOL) and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaires were included in the questionnaire.Results: Of 25,161 women completing the screening survey, 11,771 were postmenopausal and 3,460 met inclusion criteria and completed the full questionnaire. Prevalence of moderate-to-severe VMS was 40%, 34%, and 16% in Europe, the US, and Japan, respectively. A large proportion were HT averse, albeit eligible (Europe 56%, US 54%, Japan 79%). In total, 12%, 9%, and 8% in Europe, the US, and Japan, respectively, were HT-contraindicated. A high proportion were HT-cautious (Europe 70%, US 69%, Japan 52%). Most common menopausal symptoms reported in the MENQOL were feeling tired or worn out (Europe/US 74%, Japan 75%), aching in muscles and joints (Europe 69%, US 68%, Japan 61%), difficulty sleeping (Europe 69%, US 66%, Japan 60%), and hot flashes (Europe 67%, US 68%, Japan 62%). Overall, the most bothersome symptom was weight gain. As measured by the WPAI, hot flashes and night sweats had a greater impact on daily activities than on working activities.Conclusions: A high proportion of women experienced moderate-to-severe VMS, with associated symptoms impacting QOL.

Octogenarians’ Breast Cancer Is Associated with an Unfavorable Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Worse Disease-Free Survival

“…In addition, it would have been ideal to group the patients by menopausal status; however, that information was lacking in both of the analyzed cohorts, and the sample size would be too small for meaningful analyses if we limited the control group to those aged 55-65. Menopause significantly changes the internal environment of women and causes various symptoms [80]. It is well known that menopause by itself has a major impact on breast cancer biology.…”

Alcohol Consumption Patterns and Risk of Early-Onset Vasomotor Symptoms in Premenopausal Women

“…Participants who answered 0–2 points were classified as having no or mild VMS. On the other hand, participants who answered at the midpoint or higher (3–6 points) were classified as having moderately-to-severely bothersome VMS, which we used as the primary endpoint for the analysis because moderate/severe VMS is likely to negatively influence the quality of life [ 27 , 28 ]. Prevalent VMS was defined as the presence of moderately-to-severely bothersome VMS at baseline, whereas incident VMS was defined as new onset of moderately-to-severely bothersome VMS during follow-up among participants without VMS at baseline.…”

Prevalence and impact on quality of life of vasomotor symptoms

“…This issue contains a global cross-sectional survey of women with vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause: prevalence and quality of life burden, 7 where the prevalence and health-related quality of life of moderate and severe VMS have been determined in postmenopausal women in Europe, the United States and Japan, and only in subgroups of women not receiving hormonal therapy (HT).…”

“…The present study also analyzes the reasons for not using or not wanting hormone therapy, 7 and it could be due to caution. Caution could explain 70% of women in Europe, 69% in the United States, and 52% in Japan.…”

“…The positions of scientific societies indicate HT as the most effective treatment for VMS 13,14 . However, the percentage of women who suffer from vasomotor symptoms and who are on hormonal treatment is very low, and as the study by Nappi et al 7 also points out, even with symptoms, they do not accept or do not wish to receive HT. These data open the need to know, manage, and investigate the possibilities of nonhormonal treatments for VMS.…”