a Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Pediatrics, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University of Udine , Udine , Italy.
b Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Pediatrics, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University of Modena , Modena , Italy.
Climacteric. 2019 Feb;22(1):85-89. doi: 10.1080/13697137.2018.1529748. Epub 2019 Jan 2.
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of vaginal atrophy (VA) in women across the menopausal age.
A multicenter cross-sectional investigation was performed on 747 females, 40-55 years of age, in 30 outpatient public services across the nation. The VA diagnosis was based on the combination of patient sensation of vaginal dryness, an objective sign of VA, and pH >5.
VA was diagnosed in 36.8% of women. Prevalence ranged from 19.2% (40-45 year olds) to 53.8% (52-55 year olds). pH >5 (37.5%) was less prevalent than isolated VA symptoms or signs. Vaginal dryness (64.0%) was the most prevalent symptom followed by dyspareunia (54.5%), itching (38.5%) burning (38.3%), and dysuria (28.9%). Prevalence of vaginal signs declined from vaginal dryness (60.3%) to vaginal thinning (54.5%), vaginal pallor (47.4%), presence of petecchiae (15.7%), and mucosa fragility (15.1%). Most signs and symptoms showed an age-related increase in frequency and intensity. VA was independently associated (R = 0.139; p < 0.0001) with age (odds ratio [OR] 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.13), being in postmenopause (OR 3.45; 95% CI 2.29-5.19), and presence of vasomotor symptoms (OR 3.10; 95% CI 2.09-4.60).
VA and its symptoms are common in women across the menopausal age. VA identification may favor early management and treatment.
本研究旨在调查绝经年龄女性阴道萎缩（VA）的患病率。
对全国 30 家门诊公共服务机构的 747 名 40-55 岁女性进行了一项多中心横断面调查。VA 诊断基于患者阴道干燥感、VA 的客观体征和 pH 值>5 的综合判断。
36.8%的女性诊断为 VA。患病率范围为 19.2%（40-45 岁）至 53.8%（52-55 岁）。pH 值>5（37.5%）的患病率低于孤立的 VA 症状或体征。阴道干燥（64.0%）是最常见的症状，其次是性交困难（54.5%）、瘙痒（38.5%）、烧灼感（38.3%）和尿痛（28.9%）。阴道体征的患病率从阴道干燥（60.3%）下降到阴道变薄（54.5%）、阴道苍白（47.4%）、出现瘀点（15.7%）和黏膜脆弱（15.1%）。大多数症状和体征随年龄的增长而增加频率和强度。VA 与年龄（R=0.139；p<0.0001）、绝经后状态（OR 3.45；95%CI 2.29-5.19）和血管舒缩症状（OR 3.10；95%CI 2.09-4.60）独立相关。
VA 及其症状在绝经年龄女性中很常见。VA 的识别可能有利于早期管理和治疗。
