Asifa Ali1, Kalathara Francis Yesudas 2, Arun Madhumal Palayat3, Shalima Shoukkathaly4, Krishna Mahadevan5
BACKGROUND
Depression is the commonest psychiatric disorder in women. Menopause is a hormone deficient state in women’s life and the symptoms experienced at menopause are quite variable and affect the emotional state of women and leading to depression and poor quality of life.
The study aimed to determine prevalence of depression, menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal women attending in a primary health centre in North Kerala.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted in a primary health centre, North Kerala. Women in the age group of 40-55 years were included in the study. Each subject was assessed using sociodemographic data sheet and screened with PHQ-9 questionnaire. Women who scored ≥5 in PHQ-9 were further assessed using Beck’s Depression Inventory. Perimenopausal symptoms were assessed by menopause rating scale. Data was entered and analysed by SPSS Version 20.0.
RESULTS
The mean age of menopause was 48.5 ± 3.226 years. Most women were high school educated (38%) and belonged to rural background (89%) and low socioeconomic group (69%). 19% of women were in premenopausal phase, 43% in perimenopausal phase and 38% in postmenopausal period. 37% women was found to be depressed. The most common menopausal symptoms in the present study group were joint and muscular discomfort (77%). There was significant relationship between depression score and MRS scores in all three dimensions (P <0.001).
CONCLUSION
The menopausal transition is a time of increased vulnerability to depressive disorders. The current study highlights the presence of depressive symptoms and depressive disorders in this vulnerable age group.
