Carbohydrate Quality, Quality of Life, and Menopausal Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women

Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University604 enrolled

Overview

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of carbohydrate quality on quality of life and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. Data were collected from 604 postmenopausal women using a demographic questionnaire, the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL), and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Carbohydrate quality was assessed using food frequency consumption data, and the results were analyzed with SPSS 24 software.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of carbohydrate quality on quality of life and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. Method: A total of 604 postmenopausal women participated in the study. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL), and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Carbohydrate quality was assessed using food frequency consumption data and analyzed based on dietary fiber, glycemic index, solid carbohydrate-to-total carbohydrate ratio, and whole grains-to-total grains ratio. Results were divided into five quartiles, with Q5 representing the highest and Q1 the lowest carbohydrate quality. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 24 software.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

604

Conditions

Woman

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 30 YearsMax age: 90 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Women who have not menstruated for 12 consecutive months and have no intermenstrual bleeding * Aged between 30 and 90 years * Must be willing to volunteer Exclusion Criteria: * Women diagnosed with any psychological disorder * Cancer patients

Locations (1)

Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Evaluating carbohydrate quality

132 food groups obtained from the food consumption frequency questionnaire were analyzed. Daily intake (g/day) was calculated using the BeBiS program with a global database, based on the amount and frequency of food consumed by participants. Glycaemic Index (GI) values were also determined using the BeBiS program, taking into account both the amount and frequency of food consumed. To determine the Carbohydrate Quality Index score, each of the four components (fiber intake, whole grain ratio, Glycaemic Index, and total carbohydrate ratio) was rated from 1 to 5 points. The score for each component was then summed. Q5 indicates the highest and Q1 the lowest carbohydrate quality.

Time frame: Basaline

Secondary Outcomes

Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL)

This scale is used to assess quality of life during menopause. It consists of 29 questions across four subdimensions, with scores ranging from 1 to 8. Higher scores on this scale indicate greater severity of complaints.

Time frame: Basaline

Menopause Rating Scale (MRS)

This scale was used to measure the severity and frequency of menopausal symptoms. It includes three subdimensions: psychological, somatic, and urogenital complaints. Each question has five response options (scored from 0 to 4), with a total possible score of 44 and a minimum score of 0. Higher scores indicate a greater negative impact on quality of life and an increase in symptoms.

Time frame: Basaline

Sociodemographic characteristics

Sociodemographic characteristics will be assessed using a structured questionnaire developed by the researchers. The questionnaire will include items on age, gender, education level, and income status. Results will be presented as frequencies and percentages for each characteristic.

Time frame: Basaline

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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