Objective:
The purpose of this study was to explore the associations of race/ethnicity and menopausal status to gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms experienced during the menopausal transition while considering multiple factors that could influence the symptoms.
Methods:
This secondary analysis was conducted with the data from 1,051 women from 2 Internet-based studies on midlife women's health issues. In the original studies, the data were collected using a dozen questions on sociodemographic and health/menopausal factors and the GI Index for Midlife Women. The data were analyzed utilizing ANOVA, multiple logistic regression, and hierarchical linear regression analyses.
Results:
When covariates were controlled, being Non-Hispanic (N-H) Asian was a significant factor that influenced the total numbers of GI symptoms (β = −0.26) and total severity scores of GI symptoms (β = −0.26). When covariates were controlled, premenopausal status was the strongest factor that influenced the total numbers of GI symptoms in all participants, Hispanics, N-H Whites, N-H African Americans, and N-H Asians (β = 53, −0.40, −0.77, −0.76, −0.26, respectively) and the total severity scores of GI symptoms in all participants, Hispanics, N-H Whites, N-H African Americans, and N-H Asians (β = −0.50, −0.38, −0.72, −0.75, −0.25, respectively).
Conclusions:
This study supports the association of race/ethnicity and menopausal status to GI symptoms experienced during the menopausal transition.
Video Summary:https://links.lww.com/MENO/A854.
