[Distribution characteristics of depression symptoms and influencing factors in perimenopausal women]

Objective: To describe the prevalence of depressive symptoms in perimenopausal women and explore influencing factors from a biopsychosocial perspective. Methods: Data were obtained from the Epidemiological Investigation of Menopause Status among Chinese Women conducted in 26 districts/counties in 13 prefecture-level cities across 12 provinces in China between September 2023 and February 2024. Data collection used a self-designed structured questionnaire and standardized measurement instruments. Data analysis employed the χ² test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Poisson regression to identify factors influencing depressive symptoms. Results: In 6 432 perimenopausal women, 24.8% (1 598) exhibited depressive symptoms, with 20.1%, 3.9% and 0.8% reporting mild, moderate and severe depressive symptoms respectively. The results of the Poisson regression showed that the factors associated with increased depression risk included high school education or above, household income between 80 000 and 149 999 yuan, higher waist-to-hip ratio, mild or moderate-to-severe menopausal symptoms, and poorer sleep quality (all P<0.05). Factors associated with reduced depression risk included age, rural residence, eastern/northeastern /western economic region, weekly physical activity (all P<0.05). The presence of different menopausal symptoms was also associated with increased depression risk (all P<0.001). Conclusions: Depressive symptoms in perimenopausal women varied across different demographic groups. The risk for depression was significantly higher in the women living in urban area and central economic regions. Menopausal symptoms and sleep quality were closely associated with depressive symptom.