Menopause Rating Scale as a Screening Tool for Midlife Women in Nepal
Author Information
Author(s): Chuni Neena, Sreeramareddy Chandrashekhar T
Primary Institution: Manipal Teaching Hospital, Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal
Hypothesis
The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) can effectively identify women with severe menopausal symptoms in rural Nepal.
Conclusion
The MRS can be used as a screening tool at a cut-off score of ≥16, but its effectiveness may be influenced by a woman's general health status and the presence of urogenital symptoms.
Supporting Evidence
- Most women reported sleeping problems (78.7%) and physical and mental exhaustion (73.5%).
- Postmenopausal women experienced significantly higher prevalence of symptoms than premenopausal women.
- The optimal cut-off MRS score for referral to a gynaecologist was found to be 16.
Takeaway
This study looked at how well a questionnaire can help find women who need help with menopause symptoms. It found that a score of 16 or more on the questionnaire is a good sign that a woman might need to see a doctor.
Methodology
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 729 women aged 40 to 65 years using the Menopause Rating Scale and a questionnaire.
Potential Biases
Selection bias due to non-participation and potential misclassification of symptoms.
Limitations
The sample may not represent all Nepalese women, and there may have been misreporting of symptoms.
Participant Demographics
Women aged 40 to 65, mostly illiterate and housewives, with a mean age of 49.9 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
< 0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 2.59, 10.78
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website