Age-specific symptom prevalence in middle-aged women
Author Information
Author(s): Annika Bardel, Mari-Ann Wallander, Hans Wedel, Kurt Svärdsudd
Primary Institution: Uppsala University, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences
Hypothesis
Some symptoms increase with age while others have a decreasing or stable tendency in middle-aged women.
Conclusion
Symptoms related to stress, tension, and depression decreased with age, while only a few symptoms increased.
Supporting Evidence
- Five symptoms increased with age, while eleven symptoms decreased significantly.
- The most prevalent symptoms included general fatigue, headache, and melancholy.
- The study found that symptoms related to stress and depression decreased with age.
Takeaway
As women get older, they report feeling less stressed and depressed, even though some symptoms like leg pain and insomnia may increase.
Methodology
A cross-sectional postal questionnaire study was conducted with a random sample of 4,200 women aged 35–64 years, resulting in 2,991 responders.
Potential Biases
Non-responders may differ from responders, potentially skewing symptom reporting.
Limitations
The study may have selection bias due to non-responders and potential recall bias.
Participant Demographics
Women aged 35–64 years, with a mean age of 49.6 years; 28.5% had compulsory education, 44.5% vocational/high school, and 27.0% college/university education.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05 for preliminary analyses; p<0.01 for final analyses.
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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