Limitations in functioning in climacteric syndrome: a systematic literature review using the ICF

Abstract

Introduction

This study is the first of four preparatory studies in the process to develop an International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Set for climacteric syndrome. The aim was to identify perimenopausal and postmenopausal limitations in functioning reported in the scientific literature.

Methods

A systematic literature review was performed on MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Embase and CINAHL including publications from 2010 to 2020. Meaningful concepts were identified from the included studies and linked to the ICF using standardized linking rules.

Results

From the 6935 unique publications found, 300 articles were randomly selected for abstract screening and 48 studies met the inclusion criteria. From these, 1836 meaningful concepts were identified and linked to 158 different ICF categories. Most of them could be linked to the ICF chapter ‘Body Functions’. Emotional, sleep, energy and drive as well as thermoregulatory functions and sensation of pain were addressed in >80% of all publications.

Conclusion

Climacteric syndrome involves all four components of the ICF, but the focus of scientific research lies on limitations in body functioning. Limitations in body structures, activities and participation and environmental factors were less frequently assessed. The ICF is a valuable tool to describe the multidimensional phenotype of climacteric syndrome.

更年期综合征的功能限制：一项ICF系统性文献综述 摘要

导言：本研究是为更年期综合征制定国际功能、残疾和健康分类（ICF）核心的四项预备性研究中的第一项。目的是鉴别科学文献中报道的围绝经期和绝经后功能受限。

方法：对MEDLINE、PsycInfo、Embase和CINAHL进行系统的文献综述, 包括2010年至2020年的出版物。从纳入的研究中确定了有意义的概念, 并使用标准化的关联规则将其与ICF关联。

结果：从发现的6935篇相关出版物中, 随机选择300篇文章进行摘要筛选, 48项研究符合纳入标准。从中确定了1836个有意义的概念, 并将其与158个不同的ICF类别联系起来。其中大部分可能与ICF的“身体功能”一章有关。情绪、睡眠、能量和驱动力以及体温调节功能和疼痛感在超过80%的所有出版物中得到了阐述。

结论：更年期综合征涉及ICF的所有四个组成部分, 但科学研究的重点在于身体功能的限制。身体结构、活动和参与以及环境因素方面的限制较少被评估。ICF是描述更年期综合征多维表型的一个有价值的工具。

Keywords:

• International Classification of Functioning
• Disability and Health
• ICF Core Set
• menopause
• climacteric syndrome

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Tania Rivero from the University of Bern for her support concerning the search strategy and Melissa Selb from Swiss Paraplegic Research in laying the groundwork for conducting the review.

Potential conflict of interest

No potential competing interest was reported by the authors.

Source of funding

Nil.