Relationship between perimenopause symptoms and bone mineral density

Abstract

The menopausal transition or perimenopause is associated with numerous symptoms. Women
entering perimonopause normally have menstrual irregular periods due to an imbalance of serum
estradiol. Since the status of estrogen is known as an important determinant of bone mass
density, menopausal symptoms can be an effective indicator of bone status in women. This
study aimed to evaluate the relationship between perimenopause symptoms and bone mineral
density (BMD). This was an observational study using cross-sectional design conducted during
three months periode from June to August 2010 in Kalangan Village, Banguntapan, Bantul
District. Subjects were women between the aged 46-55 years who fulfilled the inclusion and
exclusion criteria. After underwent history taking, subjects underwent physical examination
according to International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ). The BMD of subjects was
than measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The relationship between
perimenopause symptoms and BMD was then evaluated using multivariate analysis. The results
showed that perimenopause symptoms increase abnormal BMD of subjects 1.38 times higher
than those without perimenopause symptoms (RR=1.38; 95%CI 1.39-13.78; p=0.01). In
conclusion, the perimenopause symptoms is associated with the high proportion of abnormal
BMD in women.