Predictors of menopausal hot flashes

There are limited data on the factors associated with menopausal hot flashe s, a common and potentially morbid condition. The objective of this study w as to identify predictors of menopausal hot flashes. To meet this objective , 233 naturally perimenopausal or postmenopausal women (ages 45-65) attendi ng a large urban hospital center primary care clinic, mammography unit, or women's health practice were enrolled. The women responded to a self-admini stered questionnaire assessing selected demographic factors, reproductive h istory, and behavioral factors. Sixty-seven percent of respondents experien ced hot flashes, with 63% reporting frequent hot flashes (at least one hot flash per day) and 60% with hot flashes describing the hot flashes as sever e. Women with hot flashes were significantly more likely to have mothers wh o experienced hot flashes (OR = 4.4, CI = 2.0-10.0) or to be smokers (OR = 2.0, CI = 1.2-3.5). There were no statistically significant associations be tween hot flashes and other selected demographic, reproductive, or behavior characteristics. These results reveal that menopausal hot flashes are asso ciated with a maternal history of hot flashes as well as with cigarette smo king. These results may help physicians to counsel their patients about smo king cessation.