Association between menopausal status and physical function: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to analyze the association between menopausal status and physical function. This review of observational studies followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement and was registered in PROSPERO. Searches were performed in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, SciELO, LILACS and Web of Science databases. RevMan 5 was used for meta-analysis. Twenty-six studies were included, and 80.8% showed significant associations between menopausal status and physical function. Compared to postmenopausal women, premenopausal (mean difference [MD] = 2.72, p < 0.001) and perimenopausal (MD = 1.68, p < 0.001) women had stronger handgrip strength in meta-analysis of unadjusted results. Associations remained significant when considering studies with results adjusted for covariates. Results were similar when considering different socioeconomic contexts. Premenopausal women also had stronger pinch and knee extension strength, better performance in the single-leg balance tests with eyes closed and open, and better self-reported physical function and functional limitation due to physical problems than postmenopausal women in meta-analysis with unadjusted results. Meta-analyses of adjusted results were conducted for self-reported measures, but differences lost significance. The menopausal transition seems to be a critical period during which physical function tends to decline, underscoring the importance of implementing healthcare strategies for women during this phase.