Dizziness in peri- and postmenopausal women is associated with anxiety: a cross-sectional study

Masakazu Terauchi,Mikako Masuda,Reiko Tsunoda,Naoyuki Miyasaka,Mihoko Akiyoshi,Hiroaki Fushiki,Asuka Hirose,Tamami Odai,Kiyoko Kato

doi:10.1186/s13030-018-0140-1

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough dizziness is one of the most common symptoms of menopause, the underlying mechanism is not precisely known. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of, and the factors associated with, dizziness in peri- and postmenopausal women.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in which we analyzed the first-visit records of 471 Japanese women aged 40 to 65 years who enrolled in a health and nutrition education program at a menopause clinic. The prevalence of dizziness was estimated according to the participants’ responses to the Menopausal Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire. The background characteristics of age, menopause status, body composition, cardiovascular parameters, basal metabolism, and physical fitness; other menopausal symptoms, including vasomotor, insomnia, depression, and anxiety symptoms; and lifestyle characteristics were assessed for their associations with dizziness.ResultsThe percentage of women who suffered from dizziness once a week or more frequently was 35.7%. Compared to the women without dizziness, those with the symptom were younger; had a higher body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, muscle mass, and waist-to-hip ratio; had higher systolic pressure; were slower in reaction time; had higher physical and psychological symptom scores of menopause; exercised less regularly; and consumed less alcohol. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the anxiety symptom, which was evaluated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, was the sole factor that was independently associated with dizziness (adjusted odds ratio 1.14; 95% confidence interval 1.08–1.20).ConclusionsDizziness is highly prevalent in Japanese peri- and postmenopausal women and it is associated with anxiety. The treatment of anxiety in this population might improve the symptom.

Highlights

Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms of menopause, the underlying mechanism is not precisely known
In the present study, we sought to determine the prevalence of dizziness in Japanese middle-aged women who were attending a menopause clinic and to investigate the factors associated with the symptom in this population
Patient recruitment In this cross-sectional study, we retrospectively analyzed the first-visit records of 471 Japanese peri- and postmenopausal women aged 40–65 years who had been enrolled in the Systematic Health and Nutrition Education Program at the menopause clinic of the Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital from November 2007 to June 2016

Summary

Introduction

Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms of menopause, the underlying mechanism is not precisely known. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of, and the factors associated with, dizziness in peri- and postmenopausal women. Women who are in the menopausal transition and postmenopausal periods are affected by a variety of symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Non-specific somatic symptoms are common, including muscle and joint pain, tiredness, and dizziness. Despite its prevalence, the precise mechanisms underlying dizziness in middle-aged women have yet to be elucidated, though some hypotheses have been proposed. In the present study, we sought to determine the prevalence of dizziness in Japanese middle-aged women who were attending a menopause clinic and to investigate the factors associated with the symptom in this population

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