SEVERE menopausal symptoms in post-menopausal women have been associated with cognitive impairment according to results of a study led by Andrés Calle, Comprehensive Obstetrics and Women’s Health Center, Indoamerican University, Quito, Ecuador. The study explored the relationship between menopause symptoms and cognitive impairment in postmenopausal women and aimed to identify risk factors that contribute to cognitive decline, particularly focusing on the intensity of menopause symptoms and various lifestyle factors.
Data from 1,287 postmenopausal women (average age of 55.5 years) who participated in a cross-sectional, observational survey across nine Latin American countries was analysed. Participants completed a general questionnaire, the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Mild cognitive impairment was defined as a MoCA score below 21. Researchers examined the association between menopause symptoms and cognitive impairment, adjusting for factors like BMI, sexual activity, physical exercise, hormone therapy use, and education level.
The research team found that overall, 15.3% of the women had mild cognitive impairment. Also, women with cognitive impairment had more intense menopause symptoms compared to those without (MRS scores: 15.24 vs 10.53; P < 0.001). With regards to risk factors, severe menopause symptoms were significantly associated with higher odds of mild cognitive impairment (odds ratio [OR]: 1.74; 95% CI, 1.25-2.42). Conversely, lower BMI (OR = 0.96; 95% CI, 0.95-0.98), sexual activity (OR = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.51-0.96), physical exercise (OR = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.39-0.76), hormone therapy use (OR = 0.36; 95% CI, 0.24-0.55), and higher education (OR = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.21-0.46) were linked to lower odds of cognitive impairment.
Overall, the study highlights the complex relationship between menopause symptoms and cognitive health in postmenopausal women. Severe menopause symptoms were associated with increased odds of mild cognitive impairment, while certain lifestyle factors and higher education were protective. The findings suggest that early identification of these risk factors could help in preventing or treating age-related cognitive disorders in women. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these associations and to develop targeted interventions to preserve cognitive function in aging women.
Abigail Craig | EMJ
Reference
Calle A et al. Severe menopausal symptoms linked to cognitive impairment: an exploratory study. Menopause. 2024; DOI:10.1097/GME.0000000000002422.
