Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: To explore the network structure underlying the symptoms of menopausal syndrome and to identify the central and bridge symptoms of menopause among middle-aged women.
METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey study conducted in the Chinese community with a total of 1829 women aged 40-65 years. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was used to assess the menopausal syndrome, including somato-vegetative, psychological, and urogenital subdomains. The network analysis was performed to determine the central and bridge symptoms of menopause.
RESULTS: In the network of menopausal symptoms, anxiety, vaginal dryness, depressive mood, and irritability were the most central symptoms. Depressive mood, anxiety, and vaginal dryness were also detected as the bridge symptoms. The estimated network between the symptoms had good stability (CS-strength = 0.75 and CS-edge = 0.75).
CONCLUSIONS: The present network analysis provided unique insights into the inner structure of menopausal symptoms. Psychological symptoms should be considered as the core symptoms in developing relevant interventions to improve the health and well-being of middle-aged women.
METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey study conducted in the Chinese community with a total of 1829 women aged 40-65 years. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was used to assess the menopausal syndrome, including somato-vegetative, psychological, and urogenital subdomains. The network analysis was performed to determine the central and bridge symptoms of menopause.
RESULTS: In the network of menopausal symptoms, anxiety, vaginal dryness, depressive mood, and irritability were the most central symptoms. Depressive mood, anxiety, and vaginal dryness were also detected as the bridge symptoms. The estimated network between the symptoms had good stability (CS-strength = 0.75 and CS-edge = 0.75).
CONCLUSIONS: The present network analysis provided unique insights into the inner structure of menopausal symptoms. Psychological symptoms should be considered as the core symptoms in developing relevant interventions to improve the health and well-being of middle-aged women.
摘要：
目的：探讨绝经综合征症状的网络结构，明确中年妇女绝经的中枢和桥梁症状。
方法：这是一项在华人社区进行的横断面调查研究，共有1829名40-65岁的女性。更年期评定量表（MRS）用于评估更年期综合征，包括躯体植物人，心理,和泌尿生殖亚域。进行网络分析以确定更年期的中枢和桥症状。
结果：在更年期症状网络中，焦虑,阴道干燥，抑郁情绪,易怒是最主要的症状。抑郁情绪,焦虑,和阴道干燥也被检测为桥症状。症状之间的估计网络具有良好的稳定性（CS强度=0.75和CS边缘=0.75）。
结论：本网络分析提供了对更年期症状内部结构的独特见解。在制定相关干预措施以改善中年妇女的健康和福祉时，应将心理症状作为核心症状。
方法：这是一项在华人社区进行的横断面调查研究，共有1829名40-65岁的女性。更年期评定量表（MRS）用于评估更年期综合征，包括躯体植物人，心理,和泌尿生殖亚域。进行网络分析以确定更年期的中枢和桥症状。
结果：在更年期症状网络中，焦虑,阴道干燥，抑郁情绪,易怒是最主要的症状。抑郁情绪,焦虑,和阴道干燥也被检测为桥症状。症状之间的估计网络具有良好的稳定性（CS强度=0.75和CS边缘=0.75）。
结论：本网络分析提供了对更年期症状内部结构的独特见解。在制定相关干预措施以改善中年妇女的健康和福祉时，应将心理症状作为核心症状。
