ARS | Publication request: Effect of soy isoflavone supplementation on menopausal quality of life

Submitted to: Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 22, 2008
Publication Date: April 7, 2008
Citation: Amato, P., Young, R., Lewis, R., Murray, M., Cramer, M., Steinberg, F., Barnes, S., Ellis, K., Fraley, K., Konzelmann, K., Smith, E.O., Wong, W., Fischer, J. 2008. Effect of soy isoflavone supplementation on menopausal quality of life [abstract]. Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 22:303.3

Technical Abstract: Recent clinical trials have found an increased risk of health problems in women using menopausal hormone therapy. As a result, women are in search of alternative strategies to improve their quality of life. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of soy isoflavone supplementation on quality of life in postmenopausal women. Four hundred three healthy postmenopausal women (54.0+/-4.0 yrs) were enrolled in a 2-year multicenter, randomized, controlled trial designed to evaluate the effect of soy isoflavone supplementiation on the prevention of osteoporosis. Quality of life was assessed as a secondary outcome and was measured using the validated Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL) administered at baseline and at annual intervals. Participants were randomly assigned to receive soy isoflavones 80 mg/d, soy isoflavones 120 mg/d, or placebo. Data were analyzed using an analysis of variance (ANOVA). Baseline characteristics were similar among the three groups. There was a non-significant decrease i.e. improvement, in the vasomotor domain score at one and two years compared to baseline in all three groups. However, there were no differences among groups. In conclusion, soy isoflavones provide no added benefit over placebo in terms of qualifty of life as measured by the MENQOL.