Impacto de los síntomas de la menopausia, dolor musculoesquelético y factores de riesgo de caídas en mujeres postmenopáusicas portuguesas y españolas

Abstract

This Doctoral thesis aimed to perform the validation of the Portuguese version of the MRS questionnaire and to study the different associations between the severity of menopausal symptoms, musculoskeletal pain, and the risk of falls. The validity and psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the MRS were adequate. It was also found that a greater impact of menopause-related psychological symptoms was a significant predictor of poorer postural control, just as greater severity of somatic-vegetative symptoms was associated with lower confidence in balance and greater fear of falls. Regarding the associations between musculoskeletal pain and the severity of menopausal symptoms, we found an association between a greater intensity of pain in the last week and at the time of data collection with the severity of menopausal symptoms.