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The relationship of reports of aches and joint pains to the menopausal transition: a longitudinal study

Objectives Part I: To determine factors associated with reported joint symptoms across the menopausal transition. Part II: To investigate the relationship between symptom reporting and radiological arthritis in postmenopausal women. Design Part I: The Melbourne Women's Mid-life Health Project, commenced in 1991, is a population-based prospective study of 438 Australian-born women, aged 45–55 years and menstruating at baseline; they were interviewed annually over 8 years. The retention rate was 88% (n = 387). Part II: After 12 years of follow-up, 257 (57%) women returned for assessment and 224 agreed to undergo X-rays of their hands and knees. Methods Part I: Annual fasting blood collection, physical measurements, and interviews including questions about bothersome aches or stiff joints in the previous 2 weeks. A score for this symptom was calculated from the product of the severity and frequency data. These data were analyzed using random-effects time-series regression models. Part II: X-rays were scored for evidence of osteoarthritis using a validated scale, by two investigators who were blinded to questionnaire results. Results Part I: ‘Aches and stiff joints’ were the most commonly reported symptom and reporting increased over time in the longitudinal study. Variables significantly associated with reporting bothersome aches and stiff joints were high body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), high negative mood (p < 0.01), not being employed (p < 0.001), and experiencing the menopausal transition (p < 0.05). A higher severity and frequency of this symptom were associated with BMI (p < 0.01), not being employed (p < 0.05) and high negative mood (p < 0.005). Part II: The relationship between radiological osteoarthritis and symptom reports approached statistical significance (p = 0.06). Knee osteoarthritis was significantly associated with symptom reports (p = 0.008) but not hand osteoarthritis (p = 0.2). Conclusion Menopausal status, BMI, employment status and depressed mood were all associated with the experience of bothersome aches and stiff joints. Aches and stiff joints, common in postmenopausal women, are not necessarily indicative of radiological osteoarthritis.