Dysmenorrhea severity in war refugees with hypertension: a cross-talk with antihypertensives and analgesics

Abstract

Background: Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecological condition among women of reproductive age. Investigating the cross-talk between hypertension and dysmenorrhea is attractive and understudied, moreover, menstrual health is poorly studied in refugees.Objectives: The present study aims at examining the association between dysmenorrhea severity and antihypertensives and analgesics namely acetaminophen and Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) used by traumatized Syrian war refugeeswith hypertensionMethods: This is a cross-sectional study recruiting Syrian female refugees with hypertension. A structured questionnaire probedtheir demographics and clinical data. Dysmenorrhea severity was assessed using the WaLIDD (working ability, location, intensity,days of pain, dysmenorrhea) self-report scaleResults: Data were analysed from 125 patients, almost half were diabetic, 47 (37.6%) had dyslipidemia, 59 (47%) reported usingβ-blockers, 56 (44.8%) reported using ACEIs/ARBs, 43 (34.2) reported using CCBs and 30 (25%) were using diuretics. According to the multivariate binary logistic regression, severe dysmenorrhea was associated with acetaminophen OR 6.5, 95%CI (1.39-30.55), p=0.02 and NSAIDs use OR 2.97, 95%CI (1.28-6.89), p=0.02. Antihypertensive drugs were not associated with dysmenorrhea severity.Conclusion: Determinants of severe dysmenorrhea in patients with hypertension need more study, herein we report that analgesicsbut not antihypertensives are not associated with dysmenorrhea severity.