Prevalence Of Hot Flashes Research Articles

Comment on “Prevalence of hot flashes in women of 40 to 65 years of age with metabolic syndrome”

Comment on “Prevalence of hot flashes in women of 40 to 65 years of age with metabolic syndrome”

Hot flashes, insomnia, and the reproductive stages: a cross-sectional observation of women from the EPISONO study.

To investigate the association of hot flashes and insomnia in women in premenopause and postmenopause. The study was performed using data from the São Paulo Epidemiological Sleep Study. Women in premenopause were classified as having regular menstrual cycles, being anovulatory, or using hormonal contraceptives. Women in menopause were classified as being in perimenopause, early postmenopause, or late postmenopause. Women reporting frequent insomnia symptoms and relevant daytime complaints were classified as having insomnia disorder. Polysomnography alterations suggestive of insomnia were also identified. The frequency of hot flashes was 42% among women in postmenopause (mainly in early postmenopause) and 9% among women in premenopause (mainly anovulatory; P < .01). Approximately 18.7% had insomnia disorder, 48% had isolated insomnia symptoms, and 32.4% had polysomnography alterations. Comparing women in menopause with those in premenopause, the diagnosis of insomnia was similar (premenopause: 18.9% vs menopause: 17.5%), but women in menopause had more frequent isolated insomnia symptoms (premenopause: 43.9% vs menopause: 55.9%; P = .02) and polysomnography correlates of insomnia (premenopause: 26.5% vs menopause: 42.6%; P < .01). Hot flashes were more frequent among women with insomnia disorders (25.5%) and with isolated insomnia symptoms (23.0%) when compared with good sleepers (12.6%) in the entire sample (P = .01). Among women in late menopause, the prevalence of hot flashes was higher in both women with insomnia disorders (42.1%) and with isolated insomnia symptoms (37.5%) when compared with women who were good sleepers (14.3%; P = .05). Hot flashes are associated with insomnia and polysomnography alterations suggestive of insomnia. The prevalence of hot flashes among women with insomnia disorder is especially high among women in late postmenopause. Hachul H, Castro LS, Bezerra AG, etal. Hot flashes, insomnia, and the reproductive stages: a cross-sectional observation of women from the EPISONO study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(11):2257-2267.

Prevalence of hot flashes in women of 40 to 65 years of age with metabolic syndrome.

Hot flashes have a negative impact on the quality of life of women during the menopausal transition and thereafter. The progressive reduction in gonadal estrogen levels associated with aging promotes an accumulation of abdominal fat, dyslipidemia, and arterial hypertension, all of which are components of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The objective of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of hot flashes and evaluate their relationship with MetS in women ≥ 40 years of age. This was a cross-sectional study involving women aged between 40 and 65 years. We used the Kupperman index to quantify the climacteric symptoms and the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for the diagnosis of MetS. 1,435 women were initially selected, and we obtained information from 647. The mean age at menopause was 45.99 years (SD 6.61 years) and the prevalence of hot flashes and MetS were 55.83% (95% CI: 52.35-59.25%) and 46.29% (95% CI: 44.75-52.53%), respectively. We identified a positive association between MetS and hot flashes (OR 1.16; 95% CI: 1.01-1.33). In women ≥ 40 years of age, hot flashes are highly prevalent and appear to be associated with MetS.

Health Characteristics Associated With Hot Flashes in Women With HIV During Menopause: An Integrative Review.

Hot flashes (HFs) are a prominent symptom of menopause known to unfavorably influence mood, sleep, and quality of life. More women living with HIV are entering menopause and may experience a greater prevalence of HFs and more severe HFs compared with uninfected women. This integrative review evaluated existing evidence on potential health characteristics associated with HFs in women living with HIV during menopause. A search strategy was conducted within 6 databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guided the review, and the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice model was used to evaluate methodological quality and appraisal of the evidence. Five articles met the review eligibility criteria. Three content categories emerged from the key findings of the 5 articles: HIV-specific characteristics, mental health and cognitive characteristics, and quality of life and social characteristics. Implications for research and clinical care were identified.

Association between pulse wave velocity and hot flashes/sweats in middle-aged women

As women age and go through menopause, they suffer a higher incidence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have shown that a relationship exists between hot flashes/sweats and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the association between hot flashes/sweats and arterial stiffness is unclear. We aim to explore the relationship between hot flashes/sweats and arterial stiffness using the modified Kupperman index (KMI) questionnaire and measure the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). The prevalence of hot flashes in our research was reported to be 41.77%. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean baPWV among groups that experienced different severities of hot flashes/sweats according to one-way ANOVA test (p < 0.001). The baPWV values were positively associated with the severity of hot flashes/sweats based on linear regression after adjusting for established cardiovascular confounders (95% CI: (5.86, 43.23), p = 0.01). To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first investigation to propose that baPWV may serve both as an objective index for evaluating the severity of hot flashes/sweats and as a predictor of arterial stiffness beyond Cardiac Vascular Disease (CVD) risk factors in middle-aged women.

Gene Testing to Predict Tamoxifen-Induced Hot Flashes: New Biological Insights

Gene Testing to Predict Tamoxifen-Induced Hot Flashes: New Biological Insights

Environmental contexts of menopause in Spain

This study had two main objectives: (1) to detect the differences in basic aspects of the reproductive aging process (age at menopause, menopausal symptoms, the medicalization of aging) among women from the region of Madrid, who at the time of the study were living in three different environmental contexts (rural, semiurban, and urban), and (2) to identify the main factors responsible for these differences. Data from two different research projects have been pooled for the DAMES project (Decisions At MEnopause Study), and the Ecology of Reproductive Aging Project. The sample size was 1,142, women 45 to 55 years of age (103 rural, 744 semiurban, 295 urban). Probit analysis was used to estimate median age at natural menopause in the three contexts. Rural women have a later onset of menopause (rural, 52.07 y; semiurban, 51.9 y; urban, 51.23 y) and significantly higher levels of the symptoms related to declines in estrogen, eg, hot flashes (rural, 56%; semiurban, 43%; urban, 46%; chi2=6.717, P=0.035) or loss of sexual desire (rural, 51%; semiurban, 44%; urban, 41%; chi2=24.934, P=0.001). Conversely, urban women suffer more from symptoms related to stress, eg, impatience (rural, 34%; semiurban, 25%; urban, 45%; chi2=41.328, P<0.001). The medicalization of menopause, measured in terms of both surgical menopause and the use of hormone therapy, is significantly higher in the urban population (surgical menopause: rural, 5.8%; semiurban, 8.7; urban, 10%; chi2=16.009, P<0.001). Despite these differences, levels of postmenopausal hormone therapy use are still somewhat lower than in other West European and North American populations. Two different logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify (1) factors associated with differences in ovarian aging, measured through menopausal status, and (2) factors associated with prevalence of hot flashes with respect to ovarian aging. Parity, body mass index, age, environmental context, and, slightly less so, smoking, alcohol consumption, age, education, age at menarche, and marital status all contribute significantly or nearly significantly and independently to the explanation of differences found. For the likelihood of having hot flashes, environmental context, age, education, age at menarche, menopausal status, and postmenopausal hormone therapy use all hae a significant or borderline significant effect. Significant differences have been shown to exist in rural, semiurban and urban settings in the median age at menopause, in basic symptom frequency and type, and in the levels of medicalization of the process of reproductive aging. Within multivariate regression models, it has been shown that body mass index, age, and environmental context all contribute to differences in reproductive aging. The factors associated with ovarian aging and hot flashes are comparable to those in other industrialized populations, although standard interpretations should be expanded to include context-based realities, including (1) the higher levels of modernization of urban women that influence differential behavior with respekt to risk factors at menopausal age; (2) the different ecological realities surrounding nutrition, physical activity, and social support that characterize women's period of development; and (3) the differential construction of their identity as women in terms of assertiveness, aesthetic perceptions, and the use of health services. Context does, indeed, matter.

Assessment of hot flashes and clinical correlates in breast cancer patients receiving tamoxifen or third-generation aromatase inhibitors

8015 Background: The aim of this study was to assess prevalence and severity of hot flashes in breast cancer patients with or without endocrine treatment and to identify patients at risk in whom interventions may be necessary. Methods: 233 postmenopausal breast cancer patients belonging to various stages were included in this cross-sectional study. They completed local treatments and chemotherapy for at least 3 months and were without evidence of disease progression on inclusion. Current hormonal treatments were: None, 58 pts; tamoxifen, 79 pts; FEMTA trial (double blind adjuvant tamoxifen vs letrozole) 49 pts; letrozole, 26 pts; exemestane, 21 pts. Frequency and severity of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms were recorded in a 14-day diary. Statistical analysis was done with non-parametric test Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson’s correlation test. Results: Prevalence of hot flashes was highest under tamoxifen (70%) and in the FEMTA trial (69%). Hot flashes were less frequent in patients without hormonal therapy (52%) and in patients under aromatase inhibitors (49%), both groups being significantly different than patients receiving tamoxifen (p=0.054 and p= 0.013, respectively). No significant difference in hot flashes was seen when comparing aromatase inhibitors vs no hormonal therapy, or tamoxifen vs FEMTA. Age was inversely correlated with occurrence of hot flashes (p< 0.0001). Patients with lower educational level and those in partnered relationships reported more hot flashes (all p≤ 0.046). Moreover, the occurrence of hot flashes was significantly correlated to the presence of nervousness and depressive mood (p=0.02) and was associated with other menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness (p=0.073) and memory problems (p=0.072). Conclusions: Although hot flashes are most severe under tamoxifen, a significant proportion of patients receiving third generation aromatase inhibitors and even untreated patients experience this symptom. This underscores the need for finding effective and safe non-hormonal interventions. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Prevalência e fatores associados a fogachos em mulheres climatéricas e pós-climatéricas

A cross-sectional study was conducted on the prevalence of hot flashes and associated factors among women from 40 to 69 years old, from a population-based sample in the city of Pelotas, southern Brazil. A multi-stage sampling process was used, and data were collected through an interview and a self-applied questionnaire. A total of 879 women were included. Point prevalence and lifetime prevalence were 30.1% and 53.2%, respectively. Factors associated with hot flashes were: pre-menopausal status (RP = 2.33) and post-menopausal status (RP = 2.66); age 45-49 years (RP = 1.34) and 50-54 years (RP = 1.42); lower social class (RP = 2.16); no use of a hormonal contraception method after 40 years of age (RP = 1.40); obesity (RP = 1.39) and overweight (RP = 1.32); and not having a partner (RP = 0.80). High prevalence of this symptom indicates that health facilities should be prepared to deal with problems encountered by climacteric women.

Differential diagnosis of hot flashes

Objective: The purpose of this study is to present the physiology and differential diagnosis of hot flashes, other than associated with menopause, in order to facilitate the proper evaluation of symptomatic patients with hot flashes. Study Design: Literature search using Med-Line computer access. Results: Interest in flushing reaction began in historic times. With the rapidly expanding population of women over the age of 45 and prevalence of hot flashes as menopausal symptoms, physicians need to be aware of other medical conditions which may mimic hot flashes. These include flushing due to systemic diseases, carcinoid syndrome, systemic mast cell disease, pheochromocytoma, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, pancreatic islet-cell tumors, renal cell carcinoma, neurological flushing, emotional flushing, spinal cord injury, flushing reaction related to alcohol and drugs, flushing associated with food additives, and eating. Conclusion: There is a wide variety of disease processes that can cause hot flashes. Knowledge of the nature of these disease processes is necessary for quick recognition of patients with hot flashes who do not respond to estrogen replacement treatment, and to facilitate the proper evaluation of atypical patients.