Association between socioeconomic position in earlier and later life and age at natural menopause: Estudo Pró-Saúde, Brazil

Abstract

This study was based on a prospective cohort of university staff in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (the Estudo Pr-Sade). In this article the association between socioeconomic position (SEP) earlier and later in life and age at menopause is investigated. The main indicators investigated were for earlier SEP: mothers and fathers schooling; stature; leg and trunk length. For later SEP they were: schooling; home and/or car ownership. Median age at menopause was estimated and survival curves were generated by the Kaplan-Meier method, while the association between indicators of SEP and age at menopause was explored by means of Cox semiparametric models. Associations were found between earlier SEP - represented by trunk length - and earlier menopause and between later SEP - represented by the indicator 'present schooling - and earlier menopause. The association between earlier and later SEP was confirmed. Adverse situations over the life course can impact age at menopause and related health outcomes. © 2011 Future Medicine Ltd.