Determinants of quality of life in Greek middle-age women: a population survey

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate how sociodemographic parameters, lifestyle indicators and intensity of climacteric symptoms affect the quality of life (QOL) of Greek community dwelling middle-aged women.

Study design: This population survey included 1140 middle-aged women aged 45-65 who represented 1% of the whole female population of this age group in Greece, stratified by residential area.

Main outcome measures: Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire concerning sociodemographic and anthropometric parameters, medical history, the Utian quality of life (QOL) scale and the Greene climacteric scale rating menopausal symptoms.

Results: In the univariate analysis, normal body mass index, married status, higher education, employment, good financial status, physical exercise and a high calcium diet were associated with higher total QOL scores (p-value<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that higher total QOL scores were predicted by being married (separated/divorced/widowed: beta=-3.17, p-value=0.008), by physical exercise (beta=4.84 and beta=4.57 for 1-3h and >3h per week respectively, p-value<0.001) and by a good financial status (beta=7.05, p-value<0.001), while a higher score in the Greene scale resulted in lower total QOL scores (beta=-0.77, p-value<0.001). Women with a better QOL were more health conscious and more probable to have utilized the public health preventive resources.

Conclusions: Menopause as a life event has no effect on the QOL of Greek middle-aged women. On the contrary, the presence and intensity of climacteric symptoms have a negative impact on all aspects of QOL. Marital and financial status, as well as physical exercise, are also significant predictors of QOL.