Association of menopausal status and symptoms with depressive symptoms in middle-aged Chinese women

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Objective This study aims to examine the association of menopausal status and symptoms with depressive symptoms. Methods A community-based cross-sectional survey recruited 6745 women aged 40–55 years in the eastern, central and western regions of China in 2018. Menopausal status was categorized into reproductive stage, perimenopause or postmenopause according to the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop classification. Menopausal symptoms were determined by the modified Kupperman Menopausal Index and classified as none (total score < 15), mild (15 ≤ total score ≤ 24) or moderate to severe (total score ≥ 25). Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of menopausal status and symptoms with depressive symptoms assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Results The prevalence of depressive symptoms among women in the reproductive stage, perimenopause and postmenopause was 15.4%, 23.9% and 22.8%, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, perimenopause (odds ratio [OR] = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.47) and postmenopause (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.04–1.58) were associated with higher risk for depressive symptoms than during the reproductive stage. Mild (OR = 5.55, 95% CI: 4.68–6.59) and moderate-to-severe (OR = 14.77, 95% CI: 10.94–19.94) menopausal symptoms were associated with increased likelihood of depressive symptoms compared to the group reporting no menopausal symptoms. Conclusions Menopausal status and symptoms were independently associated with the risk of depressive symptoms in middle-aged Chinese women.