C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and pre-eclampsia: large-scale evidence from the GenPE case-control study.

Multiple small studies have suggested that women with pre-eclampsia present elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). However, little is known regarding the source of this CRP and IL-6 increase. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between CRP and IL-6 levels with pre-eclampsia considering different confounding factors.

Association of pre-eclampsia risk with maternal levels of folate, homocysteine and vitamin B12 in Colombia: A case-control study.

Background: Maternal serum concentrations of folate, homocysteine, and vitamin B12 have been associated with pre-eclampsia. Nevertheless, reported studies involve limited number of cases to reliably assess the nature of these associations. Our aim was to examine the relation of these three biomarkers with pre-eclampsia risk in a large Colombian population.

Association between waist-to-height ratio and anxiety in middle-aged women: a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional multicenter Latin American study.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and anxiety in middle-aged women.

Methods: We carried out a secondary analysis of data from a multicenter study of women between 40 and 59 years old from 11 Latin America countries. Anxiety was assessed using the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Association between anxiety and severe quality-of-life impairment in postmenopausal women: analysis of a multicenter Latin American cross-sectional study.

Objective: To evaluate associations between anxiety and severe impairment of quality of life (QoL) in Latin American postmenopausal women.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a multicenter cross-sectional study among postmenopausal women aged 40 to 59 from 11 Latin American countries. We evaluated anxiety (The Goldberg Depression and Anxiety Scale), and QoL (Menopause Rating Scale [MRS]), and included sociodemographic, clinical, lifestyle, and anthropometric variables in the analysis.

Obesity is associated with a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in middle-aged women.

Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) has been recently linked with high plasma leptin levels. Our objective was to study if obese women, who have higher leptin levels, could have a higher frequency of MSP. We studied 6079 Latin-American women, 40-59 years old.

Personal and professional use of menopausal hormone therapy among gynecologists: A multinational study (REDLINC VII).

Background: Previously, the REDLINC VI study showed that the main reason for the low use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) was its low rate of prescription by doctors.

Objective: To determine the use of MHT and perceived related risks among gynecologists.

Methods: A self-administered and anonymous questionnaire was delivered to certified gynecologists in 11 Latin American countries.

Sedentary lifestyle in middle-aged women is associated with severe menopausal symptoms and obesity.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between sedentary lifestyle and the severity of menopausal symptoms and obesity in middle-aged women.

Methods: The Menopause Rating Scale, the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Athens Insomnia Scale were administered to 6,079 Latin American women aged 40 to 59 years. Sedentary lifestyle was defined as fewer than three weekly, 30-minute periods of physical activity.

Obesity and its relation to depressive symptoms and sedentary lifestyle in middle-aged women.

Background: The prevalence of obesity increases during female mid-life and although many factors have been identified, data from Latin America is lacking.

Objective: To assess factors related to obesity among middle-aged women and determine the association with depressive symptoms, sedentary lifestyle and other factors.

Methods: A total of 6079 women aged 40-59 years of 11 Latin American countries were asked to fill out the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Menopause Rating Scale, the Athens Insomnia Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and a general questionnaire containing personal socio-demographic data, anthropometric measures and lifestyle information.

Menopause could be involved in the pathogenesis of muscle and joint aches in mid-aged women.

Background: Muscle and joint aches (MJA) are frequently observed among menopausal women. They impair quality of life and are a burden to the healthcare system.

Objective: To analyze the relation between MJA and several variables related to the menopause.

A multinational study of sleep disorders during female mid-life.

Background: Although sleep disturbances are common during female mid-life, few studies have described in detail the prevalence of this problem and related risk factors.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of sleep disturbances in mid-aged women using validated tools. Assessment of determinants capable of influencing the prevalence of insomnia and poor sleep quality was also performed.

A large multinational study of vasomotor symptom prevalence, duration, and impact on quality of life in middle-aged women.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine vasomotor symptom (VMS) prevalence, duration, and impact on quality of life in middle-aged women using a validated menopausal tool.

Methods: The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and an itemized questionnaire containing personal sociodemographic data were used to examine 8,373 women aged 40 to 59 years from 22 healthcare centers in 12 Latin American countries.

Results: Less than half (48.

Quality of life impairment among postmenopausal women varies according to race.

Background: Few studies have addressed the impact of menopausal symptom severity over quality of life (QoL) in Latin American women with different ethnics.

Objective: To assess menopausal symptom severity and the QoL among postmenopausal Colombian women with three different ethnicities.

Method: Data of healthy naturally occurring postmenopausal Hispanic, indigenous and black women aged 40-59 years who participated in a cross-sectional study filling out the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and a general questionnaire was analysed.

Sexual dysfunction in middle-aged women: a multicenter Latin American study using the Female Sexual Function Index.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and associated risk factors among middle-aged Latin American women using one validated instrument.

Methods: The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was applied to 7,243 healthy women aged 40 to 59 years who were users of 19 healthcare systems from 11 Latin American countries. An itemized questionnaire containing personal and partner sociodemographic data was also filled out.

Impaired quality of life among middle aged women: a multicentre Latin American study.

Background: Several studies indicate that quality of life (QoL) is impaired in middle aged women. Assessment of QoL using a single validated tool in Latin American climacteric women has not been reported to date at large scale.

Objective: The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was used to assess QoL among middle aged Latin American women and determine factors associated with severe menopausal symptoms (QoL impairment).

Increased menopausal symptoms among Afro-Colombian women as assessed with the Menopause Rating Scale.

Background: Increased frequency and severity of menopausal symptoms have been associated to black race. However, this situation has not been described in any Latin American population.

Objective: Compare frequency and severity of menopausal symptoms among Afro and non-Afro Hispanic Colombian climacteric women.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D polymorphism and preeclampsia risk: evidence of small-study bias.

Background: Inappropriate activation of the renin-angiotensin system may play a part in the development of preeclampsia. An insertion/deletion polymorphism within the angiotensin-I converting enzyme gene (ACE-I/D) has shown to be reliably associated with differences in angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity. However, previous studies of the ACE-I/D variant and preeclampsia have been individually underpowered to detect plausible genotypic risks.

Age at menopause in Latin America.

Objective: To assess the age at menopause (AM) in Latin America urban areas.

Design: A total of 17,150 healthy women, aged 40 to 59 years, accompanying patients to healthcare centers in 47 cities of 15 Latin American countries, were surveyed regarding their age, educational level, healthcare coverage, history of gynecological surgery, smoking habit, presence of menses, and the use of contraception or hormone therapy at menopause. The AM was calculated using logit analysis.

Endothelial NO synthase genotype and risk of preeclampsia: a multicenter case-control study.

Polymorphisms in the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) gene have been evaluated as risk factors for preeclampsia. However, data from small studies are conflicting. We assessed whether eNOS genotypes alter the risk of preeclampsia in a population in which the incidence of this disorder is high.