Objectives: To determine whether physical function (PF) before menopause is related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
Methods: Participants were N = 2950 pre-/early peri-menopausal women (median age 46, (25th-75th percentile: 43-48 years). Physical function was assessed at baseline using the Physical Function subscale of the SF-36 and scores were trichotomized (no, some, or substantial limitations). Clinical CVD events were ascertained at annual/biennial clinical assessments through the 15th follow-up visit. Risk of CVD was determined with Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Women were followed for a median of 19.1 years, during which 220 women had a CVD event. In fully adjusted models, women with substantial limitations at baseline had higher CVD risk compared to women with no limitations (hazards ratio [HR] = 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-2.33). Discussion: Substantial PF limitations in pre- and early peri-menopausal women are associated with higher risk of clinical CVD events, consistent with literature in older adults.
Keywords: cardiovascular disease; epidemiology; menopause; physical function; women.