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. 2021 Dec 6;29(2):156-163.
doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001898.

Gastrointestinal symptoms in four major racial/ethnic groups of midlife women: race/ethnicity and menopausal status

Eun-Ok Im  1 , Gayeong Kim  1 , Miyoung Choi  2 , Wonshik Chee  1
Affiliations

Gastrointestinal symptoms in four major racial/ethnic groups of midlife women: race/ethnicity and menopausal status

Eun-Ok Im et al. Menopause. .

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the associations of race/ethnicity and menopausal status to gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms experienced during the menopausal transition while considering multiple factors that could influence the symptoms.

Methods: This secondary analysis was conducted with the data from 1,051 women from 2 Internet-based studies on midlife women's health issues. In the original studies, the data were collected using a dozen questions on sociodemographic and health/menopausal factors and the GI Index for Midlife Women. The data were analyzed utilizing ANOVA, multiple logistic regression, and hierarchical linear regression analyses.

Results: When covariates were controlled, being Non-Hispanic (N-H) Asian was a significant factor that influenced the total numbers of GI symptoms (β = -0.26) and total severity scores of GI symptoms (β = -0.26). When covariates were controlled, premenopausal status was the strongest factor that influenced the total numbers of GI symptoms in all participants, Hispanics, N-H Whites, N-H African Americans, and N-H Asians (β = 53, -0.40, -0.77, -0.76, -0.26, respectively) and the total severity scores of GI symptoms in all participants, Hispanics, N-H Whites, N-H African Americans, and N-H Asians (β = -0.50, -0.38, -0.72, -0.75, -0.25, respectively).

Conclusions: This study supports the association of race/ethnicity and menopausal status to GI symptoms experienced during the menopausal transition.

Plain language summary

Video Summary : http://links.lww.com/MENO/A854 .

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Conflict of interest statement

Financial disclosure/conflicts of interest: None reported.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The mean total numbers and total severity scores of GI symptoms by menopausal status and race/ethnicity.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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