Morbidities and medications used by practicing nurses during the climacteric.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the morbidities and medications used by nurses practicing in São Paulo, Brazil, during the climacteric period to raise awareness and contribute to future preventive health measures in this population.

METHODS

A descriptive, cross-sectional study of 218 nurses aged 46-65 years based on data collected between January 2018 and July 2019 using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted.

RESULTS

Respondents had a mean age of 53.9±5.1 years, mean weight of 71.3±13.6 kg, mean waist circumference of 91.6±14.5 cm, and mean body mass index of 27.8±4.9 kg/m2. Notably, 70.5% did not menstruate, had a mean age at last menstruation of 47.5±6.2 years and mean total score (Menopause Rating Scale) of 10.8±8.1, and reported the following morbidities: dyslipidemia (35.5%), subarachnoid hemorrhage (31.0%), rheumatologic diseases (14.8%), coronary heart disease (10.3%), diabetes (10.2%), malignant tumors (5.5%), deep venous thrombosis (3.2%), stroke (2.8%), and pulmonary embolism (0.5%). Medications used are antihypertensive agents (28.7%), antidyslipidemic agents (20.6%), antidiabetic agents (10.2%), antidepressants (9.6%), and anxiolytic agents (8.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

The most prevalent climacteric symptoms were somatic and psychological, most notably physical and mental exhaustion and muscle and joint issues. The most common morbidities were anxiety, dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, depression, arthrosis, arthritis and rheumatologic diseases, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, and coronary heart disease. The most frequently used medications were antihypertensive agents, antidyslipidemic agents (statins), antidiabetic agents, antidepressants, and calcium supplements. The study results furnish information on the health of practicing nurses during the climacteric period to inform preventive measures aimed at the main risk factors for morbidities to which nurses are exposed during this period.