Consanguinity and the age of menopause in the United Arab Emirates

Objective: The study examined the association between some biosocial factors, consanguinity and age at natural menopause in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Method: A cross-sectional population-based study using a multi-stage sampling design and face-to-face interview. Results: In a sample of 800 UAE females aged 40 years and above, there were 742 (85.8 %) respondents. The median age of natural menopause was 48 years. The bodyweight, parity number, occupation, smoking habits and consanguinity in marriage were the significant variables associated with the age at natural menopause. There were statistically significant differences between women in consanguineous and non-consanguineous marriages with regard to BMI (P < 0.002), occupation (P < 0.008), weight (P < 0.0001), age (P < 0.03), age of menopause (P < 0.005), parity (P < 0.0001), mother's age at menopause (P < 0.007) and sister's age at menopause (P < 0.002). Conclusion: The study showed that among UAE women, consanguinity of marriage, maternal and sister's age at menopause, BMI, parity number and smoking habits significantly influence the natural age of menopause. (C) 1998 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.