Longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis of HEALTH WATCH data with a subset of perimenopausal women and matched controls

HEALTH WATCH is a longitudinal, prospective study of healthy aging. This st udy began in 1970. It characterizes the biochemical, hematological, immunol ogical, and physiological data of 2200 healthy men and women between the ag es of 20 and 80. Well-being, stress, and sleep data are obtained annually a s a self-administered HEALTH WATCH questionnaire. A subset of women from th e HEALTH WATCH cohort who were actively followed in the 1970s and had perim enopausal gears available Has selected. This subset allows observation of t he normal female aging related to the significant marker, cessation of mens es. Critical selection criterion included a natural menopause and the absen ce of hormonal intervention. Computer selection identified 19 subjects. Thr ee sets of matched, age-defined controls were selected This study investiga tes changes of data from healthy women related to menopause status. Changes unique to perimenopause status include sleep, sex difficulties, an;alkalin e phosphatase, phosphorous, and thyroxine.