Evaluation of the menopausal symptoms severity in women with/without cancer history and their effects on mental/physical health and quality of life

WCRJ 2020; 7: e1621
DOI: 10.32113/wcrj_20207_1621

  Topic: Medical oncology     Category:

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: A decrease in sexual hormones leads to menopausal symptoms that affect women's physical/mental health and quality of life.  Herein, we aim to determine the nature and severity of such symptoms in women with/without a cancer history and their effects on their quality of life.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total, 600 menopausal women with/without a history of cancer were included in this study. Three standardized questionnaires were used to evaluate patients' mental and physical health as well as life quality: FACT-G (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General), MSNQOL (Menopause Specific Quality of Life), and the Beck's Depression questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS v. 16 software.

RESULTS: Out of 600 participants with a mean age of 55.21 (±8.36) years, 301 have experienced cancer, and 299 individuals are considered controls without a cancer history. The mean age of controls was significantly higher than the cases (p<0.001). Patients with a history of cancer had a higher parity rate (p<0.001) with more children (p=0.001), and they have experienced menopause at a younger age than the control group (p<0.001). According to MSNQOL, physical (p=0.027) and psychological (p=0.014) symptoms were significantly higher in the cases in comparison to controls; whereas, the rate of sexual (p=0.225) and vasomotor (p=0.373) symptoms was not substantially different. Also, logistic regression analysis indicated that odds of physical symptoms is three times higher in patients with cancer history (OR=3.04, 95% CI: 1.47-6.28).

CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated that the course of menopause and the management of symptoms have a significant effect on the quality of life of women with a history of cancer.

To cite this article

Evaluation of the menopausal symptoms severity in women with/without cancer history and their effects on mental/physical health and quality of life

WCRJ 2020; 7: e1621
DOI: 10.32113/wcrj_20207_1621

Publication History

Submission date: 12 May 2020

Revised on: 13 Jun 2020

Accepted on: 30 Jun 2020

Published online: 14 Jul 2020