Background: Perimenopause represents a critical transitional phase in a woman's
life, characterized by profound hormonal, metabolic, and physiological changes that
significantly impact health and well-being. Body Mass Index (BMI) is an important
anthropometric indicator that may modulate the severity of menopausal symptoms
and influence quality of life during this vulnerable period. Understanding the
relationship between BMI, quality of life, and clinico-biochemical parameters
in perimenopausal women is essential for developing targeted, evidence-based
interventions.
Objectives: To evaluate the association of BMI with quality of life using the
MENQOL score and to describe the relationship of BMI with clinico-biochemical
profile among perimenopausal women.
Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 134
perimenopausal women aged 45–55 years attending the Gynaecology OPD at
Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) Medical College and Hospital, Pune,
from February 2024 to July 2025. Quality of life was assessed using the validated
Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire. Anthropometric,
haematological, biochemical, lipid profile, ultrasonographic, and cervical cytology
data were collected and analyzed across BMI categories.
Results: The mean age was 50.17 ± 3.40 years and mean BMI was 26.68 ± 7.10 kg/
m². Of the participants, 58.2% were overweight or obese. The physical domain
of MENQOL showed a statistically significant association with BMI (p<0.001),
with scores rising progressively from underweight (2.25 ± 0.45) to obese women
(3.15 ± 0.55). No significant differences were found in vasomotor (p=0.286),
psychosocial (p=0.694), sexual (p=0.655), or total MENQOL scores (p=0.439)
across BMI categories. Elevated lipid parameters, subclinical hypothyroidism,
and hyperglycaemia were present across all BMI groups. Platelet count varied
significantly across BMI categories (p=0.043). No significant BMI-related
differences were found in endometrial thickness, uterine or ovarian pathology,
Pap smear findings, or mammography classifications.
Conclusion: BMI significantly impacts the physical symptom domain of quality of
life in perimenopausal women. Metabolic derangements, however, appear to be
universal across all BMI categories, underscoring the importance of comprehensive
metabolic screening for all perimenopausal women regardless of weight status.
Original Article
English
P. 80-90