SUMEVA, a new system of climacteric symptom evaluation, and its correlation with FSH and estradiol levels.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate a new climacteric symptom scale (SUMEVA) and to assess its correlation with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) levels.

Methods: 115 healthy perimenopausal women who were not receiving, nor had received, hormone therapy were studied. They were asked to complete 3 questionnaires concerning climacteric symptoms: (1) Kupperman's index (KI), (2) Green scale (GS), and (3) SUMEVA, which is the sum of symptom evaluations done in an analog visual scale. FSH and E2 determinations were done by chemoluminiscence.

Statistical analysis: The comparison among the groups was done by Student's t test. Pearson correlation analysis was done between FSH and E2 levels and KI, the GS, and SUMEVA.

Results: There were 60 women with FSH < or = 30 mIU/mL (group I) and 55 with FSH > 30 mIU/mL (group II). The KI average in the whole group was 13.2 +/- 8.1, the GS 20.6 +/- 13.1, and the SUMEVA 65.6 +/- 44.9. The three scales had a significant correlation between them.

Conclusions: No correlation of KI, GS, or SUMEVA was found with FSH and E2 levels, but the SUMEVA was as effective as the other previously validated, scales for climacteric symptom evaluation.