Exploring symptom clusters across the menopausal stages - systematic review and meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Menopause Research
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Menopause significantly impacts women's health, characterized by diverse symptoms.
• Understanding symptom clusters is crucial for effective management during the climacteric transition.
• Previous research shows variability in symptom experience among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and compare symptom clusters and their severity in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
• To identify distinct symptom groups and their characteristics using meta-analysis.
• To inform the development of tailored interventions for climacteric women.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review and meta-analysis of 14 studies (n=14,760) published between 1996-2023.
• Searched PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, and APA PsycINFO, adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
• Extracted data on study characteristics, demographics, cluster identification methods, symptoms, and associated factors.

Main Results:

• Four distinct symptom clusters were identified: somatic, vasomotor, psychological, and sexual.
• A significant difference was found in somatic symptom clusters (SMD = -0.89, P=0.03).
• No conclusive distinctions were observed for vasomotor, sexual, and psychological symptoms, indicating significant heterogeneity.

Conclusions:

• Somatic symptoms represent a significant and distinct cluster in climacteric women.
• Symptom presentation varies widely, necessitating personalized, person-centered care approaches.
• Further longitudinal studies are required to better understand the dynamics of menopausal symptoms.