The authors would like to apologise for an error that occurred in the title page of Annals of Human Biology, July 2007; 34 (4): 437–453.
A corrected title page with the correct family name of the author is shown overleaf.
Annals of Human Biology, July–August 2007; 34(4): 437–453
Original Article
Variability of reproductive history across the Swiss SAPALDIA cohort–Patterns and main determinants
Julia Dratva*1, Elisabeth Zemp1, Patricia Staedele1, Christian Schindler1, Michael C. Constanza4, Margaret Gerbase2, Nicole Probst-Hensch3, Thierry Rochat4, Ursula Ackermann-Liebrich1, & The Sapaldia-Team
1Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Basel, Switzerland, 2Molecular Epidemiology/Cancer Registry Zurich, Zurich, Institutes of Social and Preventative Medicine/Surgical Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, 3Division of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, and 4Department of Internal Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
(Received 3 October 2006; revised 19 February 2007; accepted 22 March 2007)
Abstract
Background: Reproductive characteristics play an aetiological role for many diseases, including reproductive cancers. They have been shown to vary internationally and nationally, but have not yet been described for the whole Swiss population.
Aim: The study investigated the variability of reproductive characteristics, their patterns, and main determinants across a population-based female study population in Switzerland.
Methods: Reproductive characteristics obtained from 3119 women (28–72 years) participating in the SAPALDIA cohort survey in 2001–2003 are described across birth cohorts, study areas, language regions, and levels of urbanization. Determinants of age at menopause were analysed by Cox regression.
Results: Reported median age at menarche was 13 years and median age at natural menopause was 52 years. The prevalence of nulliparity was 27%, and the fertility rate 1.6. Across birth cohorts there was a decline of menarcheal age and fertility rates, and an increase of nulliparity and age at last pregnancy. All characteristics varied across study areas, language regions, and levels of urbanization. Smoking, parity, and physical exercise were stronger predictors of earlier (<52 years) than older (>52 years) menopausal age.
Conclusion: Reproductive events show secular and geographic variation within Switzerland. Smoking, parity and physical activity significantly predict age at natural menopause, particularly before age 52. The secular trend of earlier menarche and increased nulliparity may result in a higher risk of reproductive cancers in younger generations.
Keywords: Menarche, menopause, fertility, reproductive history, epidemiology
Correspondence: Julia Dratva, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Steinengraben 49, 4051 Basel, Switzerland.
ISSN 0301–4460 print/ISSN 1464–5033 online © 2007 Informa UK Ltd.
DOI: 10.1080/03014460701365821