Menopausal symptoms and associated factors in HIV-positive women

Author(s)

Lui-Filho, Jeffrey F. ^[1] ; Valadares, Ana Lucia R. ^[1] ; Gomes, Debora de C. ^[1] ; Amaral, Eliana ^[1] ; Pinto-Neto, Aarao M. ^[1] ; Costa-Paiva, Lucia ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Sch Med Sci, Dept Obstet & Gynecol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MATURITAS; v. 76, n. 2, p. 172-178, OCT 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 12

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate menopausal symptoms and their associated factors in HIV-positive women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 537 women of 40-60 years of age, 273 of whom were HIV-positive and 264 HIV-negative. The women were interviewed to obtain data on their sociodemographic characteristics and menopausal symptoms. Results: The mean age of the seropositive women was 47.7 5.8 years compared to 49.8 5.3 for the seronegative women (p <0.001). Bivariate analysis showed a lower prevalence of vasomotor symptoms in the seropositive group (p = 0.009), specifically hot flashes (p <0.002) and sweating (p = 0.049). Vaginal dryness was also less prevalent in this group (p < 0.005). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with respect to depression or insomnia. Multiple analysis showed that hot flashes were associated with being pen- or postmenopausal (PR= 2.12; 95%CI: 1.52-2.94). Vaginal dryness was less common in women without a partner (PR= 0.67; 95%CI: 0.49-0.90) and was associated with older age (PR= 1.03; 95%Cl: 1.01-1.06) and being in the pen- or postmenopause (PR= 1.69; 95%Cl: 1.10-2.60). Depression was inversely associated with being employed (PR= 0.74; 95%CI: 0.58-0.96) and directly associated with the presence of chronic diseases (PR= 1.30; 95%CI: 1.01-1.067). Insomnia was associated with a lower body mass index (PR= 0.96; 95%CI: 0.95-0.97) and with being pen- or postmenopausal (PR= 1.48; 95%CI: 1.11-1.97). No correlation was found between HIV serological status and any of the menopausal symptoms. Conclusions: In this study, after controlling for confounding variables, HIV infection was not found to be associated with vasomotor, genitourinary or psychological symptoms or with insomnia. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/06037-5 - Climacteric women HIV seropositive: menopausal symptoms, sexual function, metabolic syndrome and bone mineral density
• Grantee: Lucia Helena Simões da Costa Paiva
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants