Correlates of palpitations during menopause: A scoping review

Abstract

Objective: Palpitations during peri- and post-menopause are common. It is unclear what variables are related to palpitations in peri- and post-menopausal women. The purpose of this scoping review was to summarize potential correlates of palpitations in women transitioning through menopause.

Methods: The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Authors included English-language, full-length, peer-reviewed, cross-sectional research articles on palpitations in menopausal women published through December 18, 2021, from PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and PsycINFO searches. Following de-duplication, screening of titles and abstracts, and review of full-texts, independent reviewers extracted data on variables studied in relationship to palpitations from 84 articles and resolved discrepancies. Authors extracted data on (1) demographic, clinical, biomarker, and symptom/quality of life variables and (2) data analysis method (bivariate, multivariate). Authors classified each variable as a likely, unlikely, or unclear correlate of palpitations.

Results: Articles were diverse in region of origin, sample sizes, and variables assessed in relationship to palpitations. Evidence for any one variable was sparse. Likely correlates of palpitations included race/ethnicity, lower physical activity, worse vasomotor symptoms (VMSs), worse sleep, and worse quality of life. Unlikely correlates included age, employment, education, marital status, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, body mass index, and sexual difficulties. Unclear correlates due to equivocal evidence were menopausal status, smoking, and depression. Unclear correlates due to insufficient evidence (less than three articles) included all of the assessed biomarkers, anxiety, and stress.

Conclusion: Likely correlates were identified including race/ethnicity, physical activity, VMS, sleep, and quality of life. However, additional research is needed to better understand potential correlates of palpitations.