Chilliness in Japanese middle-aged women is associated with anxiety and low n-3 fatty acid intake

Abstract

Objective: This cross-sectional study investigated chilliness, which is the most prevalent sexual-vasomotor symptom in middle-aged Japanese women.

Methods: First-visit records of 475 Japanese women (age 40–65 years) enrolled in the health and nutrition education program at a menopause clinic were analyzed. Chilliness was estimated based on responses to the Menopausal Symptom Scale. Effects of age, menopausal status, body composition, cardiovascular parameters, resting energy expenditure, physical fitness, menopausal symptoms, lifestyle, and estimated daily intake of nutrients were assessed using a multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results: Severe chilliness was found in 28.4% of women. It was not related to age, menopausal status, body mass index, or body fat percentage. The anxiety subscale score of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was the sole background characteristic independently associated with severe chilliness (adjusted odds ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.15 per point). Daily intakes of vitamin D and n-3 fatty acids were significantly lower in women with severe chilliness. Daily intake of n-3 fatty acids was negatively associated with severe chilliness after adjustment (odds ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.29–0.95 per g/1000 kcal intake).

Conclusions: Chilliness is associated with anxiety and low intake of n-3 fatty acids.

摘要

目的：这项横断面研究调查了日本中年女性最普遍的性别相关血管舒缩症状畏寒。

方法：本研究分析了在绝经诊所参加健康和营养教育计划的475名日本女性（40-65岁）的首次就诊记录。根据对更年期症状量表的反应来评估畏寒。使用多元logistic回归分析评估年龄, 绝经状态, 体成分, 心血管参数, 静息能量消耗, 身体素质, 绝经症状, 生活方式和估计的每日营养摄入量的影响。

结果：28.4％的女性患有严重的畏寒。它与年龄, 绝经状态, 体重指数或体脂百分比无关。医院焦虑和抑郁量表的焦虑量表评分是唯一与严重畏寒有关的独立背景特征（调整后的优势比为1.09； 95％的置信区间为每点1.04-1.15）。严重畏寒的女性每日维生素D和n-3脂肪酸的摄入量明显降低。调整后, 每天摄入的n-3脂肪酸与严重的畏寒呈负相关（优势比, 0.54； 95％置信区间, 每g / 1000 kcal摄入量0.29–0.95）。

结论：畏寒与焦虑和n-3脂肪酸摄入不足有关。

Keywords:

• Menopause
• omega-3 fatty acid
• α-linolenic acid
• docosahexaenoic acid
• eicosapentaenoic acid

Potential conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Source of funding

This work was supported by an unrestricted research grant awarded to M.T. by the Kikkoman Corporation [grant number: X2136].