Background factors influencing somatic and psychological symptoms in middle-age women with different hormonal status. A population-based study of Swedish women.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the influence of socio-demographic characteristics and environmental factors on self-reported somatic and psychological symptoms among middle-aged Swedish women.

METHODS

A total of 6917 women living in the Lund area of southern Sweden were participates of this study. They completed a generic questionnaire pertaining to socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors and current health related problems. According to hormonal status, the participants were subdivided into three groups, i.e. premenopause, postmenopause and peri- or postmenopausal women with hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

RESULTS

By using multiple logistic regression models, a high risk for somatic symptoms was independently associated with unemployment, no exercise, unmarried, high body weight and diseases affecting the cardiovascular system as well as a history of cancer. Psychological symptoms were independently associated with higher educational level, unemployment, no exercise, unmarried, heavy smoking habits (> or =15 cig/day), weight gain and a history of cancer. In addition, the background factors seemed to have less impact on symptoms among women who used HRT.

CONCLUSION

Socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors and concurrent health problems appear to have influences on the frequency and the number of somatic and psychological symptoms in middle-age women. Hormone replacement therapy seems to be able to counteract negative impacts caused by un-healthy lifestyle and other health problems.