Cluster Analysis on Gastrointestinal Symptoms during Menopausal Transition
Eun-Ok Im1, Mi-Young Choi1,2, Ruiqi Jin1
1School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Western Journal of Nursing Research
|July 8, 2022
Summary
Midlife women were clustered into three groups based on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Significant racial/ethnic differences in GI symptoms were observed in the moderate symptom cluster, guiding future management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Women's Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common in midlife women.
- Understanding symptom clusters and demographic variations is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify distinct clusters of midlife women based on GI symptom profiles.
- To investigate racial/ethnic variations within these identified symptom clusters.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of data from two internet-based studies (n=1,054 midlife women).
- Utilized GI Symptom Index for Midlife Women, background characteristics, and menopausal status.
- Employed factor analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, chi-square tests, multinomial logistic regression, and ANCOVA.
Main Results:
- Three distinct clusters emerged: low (46.0%), moderate (44.0%), and high (10.0%) symptom burden.
- Significant racial/ethnic differences in individual GI symptoms were found exclusively within the moderate symptom cluster.
- No significant differences were noted in the low or high symptom clusters.
Conclusions:
- Identified three distinct gastrointestinal symptom clusters in midlife women.
- Highlighted the importance of considering race/ethnicity in managing moderate GI symptoms.
- Results inform tailored approaches for GI symptom management in this demographic.
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