| Abstrakt: |
We reviewed published studies on the association of age at natural menopause and cigarette smoking. All demonstrated an earlier median o r mean age of menopause among smokers; for current smokers vs noncurrent smokers the difference ranged from 0.8 to1.7 years. For studies that presented suitable data, we computed prevalence odds ratios of menopause for current smokers vs never-smokers, current smokers vs noncurrent smokers, and former smokers vs never-smokers. The Mantel-Haenszel summary odds ratiosand 95 confidence intervals for these contrasts were: 1.9 (1.7–2.2), 1.7 (1.5–1.9), and 1.3 (1.C-1.7). Studies that presenteddata on amount of cigarettes smoked per day demonstrated dose-response trends when analyzed using the Mantel-Haenszelextension. The consistency of results across studies, the persistence of the effect when age and other covariates were considered,and the dose-response relation all support the hypothesis that smoking Increases the risk of early menopause. (Epidemiology |
