Depressive symptoms in climacteric women are related to menopausal symptom intensity and partner factors

To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated risk factors among climacteric women.

In this cross-sectional study, women aged 40-59 years, visiting inpatients at the Enrique C. Sotomayor Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Guayaquil, Ecuador, were surveyed with the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and a questionnaire seeking personal and partner data.

A total of 404 women filled out the HDRS and the MRS. The mean age was 48.2 +/- 5.7 years; 85.1% had 12 or less years of schooling and 44.8% were postmenopausal. None were on hormonal therapy for the menopause or on psychotropic drugs. The mean total HDRS score was 13.7 +/- 7 (median 13); this was higher among perimenopausal women. Of all the respondents, 78.7% had some degree of depressive symptoms (HDRS total score > or =8), which was mild in 32.2% and ranged from moderate to very severe in 46.5%. Logistic regression analysis determined that the severity of the menopausal symptoms related to the somatic and psychological domains of the MRS and the partner profile (low education and alcohol abuse) were the main determinants for women having higher depressive scores (total HDRS > or =8).

In this specific climacteric population, depressive symptoms were very prevalent and were associated with the severity of menopausal symptoms (somatic and psychological) and partner's problems.