Climacteric., 2019., Sep 12:1-6. doi: 10.1080/13697137.2019.1653841.

Chilliness in Japanese middle-aged women is associated with anxiety and low n-3 fatty acid intake.

Terauchi M Odai T Hirose A et al.

Abstract

Objective: This cross-sectional study investigated chilliness, which is the most prevalent sexual-vasomotor symptom in middle-aged Japanese women. Methods: First-visit records of 475 Japanese women (age 40-65 years) enrolled in the health and nutrition education program at a menopause clinic were analyzed. Chilliness was estimated based on responses to the Menopausal Symptom Scale. Effects of age, menopausal status, body composition, cardiovascular parameters, resting energy expenditure, physical fitness, menopausal symptoms, lifestyle, and estimated daily intake of nutrients were assessed using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Severe chilliness was found in 28.4% of women. It was not related to age, menopausal status, body mass index, or body fat percentage. The anxiety subscale score of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was the sole background characteristic independently associated with severe chilliness (adjusted odds ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.15 per point). Daily intakes of vitamin D and n-3 fatty acids were significantly lower in women with severe chilliness. Daily intake of n-3 fatty acids was negatively associated with severe chilliness after adjustment (odds ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.29-0.95 per g/1000 kcal intake). Conclusions: Chilliness is associated with anxiety and low intake of n-3 fatty acids.

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Key Points

During the menopausal transition and postmenopausal periods, women are affected by a variety of symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Among these symptoms, chilliness, which is a feeling of cold mainly in the extremities, has been reported to be the most prevalent sexual-vasomotor symptom in middle aged Japanese women. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of chilliness in Japanese middle-aged women. In this cross-sectional analysis of 475 Japanese middle-aged women who attended a menopause clinic, 28.4% had severe chilliness independent of seasons.  The n-3 (omega-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and a-linolenic acid, are known to be protective against atherosclerosis by decreasing arterial plaque build-up, increasing anti-inflammatory properties, improving endothelial-dependent vasodilation, decreasing blood pressure, and increasing the antioxidant capacity. The current study indicated that dietary intake of n-3 fatty acids was negatively associated with severe chilliness; this could be explained by the improvement in microcirculation in the extremities.