OBJECTIVE: To establish for the first time in a Brazilian outpatient sample the impact of depressive and anxiety disorders over the symptoms of the Blatt-Kupperman menopausal index (B-K). METHODS: Women (n = 86) receiving care in the menopause clinic at Instituto de Ginecologia da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro were consecutively assessed using a structured diagnostic instrument (MINI 4.4) and a traditional psychiatric interview. Patients included in the study (n = 48) were assessed using the B-K scale within 6 months before or after the MINI. The total sample was divided into the anxiety and depressive disorder group (GTDA) (n = 26) and the control group (CG) (n = 22). RESULTS: B-K total scores were greater in the GTDA comparing with the CG (22.6 vs. 13.7). Paresthesia and melancholia were significantly more severe in the GTDA. GTDA patients also complained of a greater number of symptoms (6.8 vs. 4.8) than the GC. Paresthesia, weakness and melancholia were significantly more present in the GTDA. CONCLUSION: Although the small sample limitation we could observe a great bias of depressive and anxiety disorders over menopause outpatients. For that reason, the symptomatic profile of each patient must always be observed by the gynecologist, avoiding exclusive observation of B-K total score to decide about the treatment.
Depression; anxiety; menopause; Blatt-Kupperman index
