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Kim, Leem, and Kim: Correlation between Subjective and Objective Measurement of Climacteric Women's Hot Flashes
Original Article
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2010; 40(6): 765-774.

Published online: 31 December 2010

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2010.40.6.765

Correlation between Subjective and Objective Measurement of Climacteric Women's Hot Flashes

Hyung-Jun Kim1, Kang-Hyun Leem1, Myoung-Hee Kim2

1Associate Professor, College of Korean Medicine, Semyung University, Jecheon, Korea.

2Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Semyung University, Jecheon, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Kim, Myoung-Hee. Department of Nursing, Semyung University, 579 Sinwol-dong, Jecheon 390-711, Korea. Tel: 82-43-649-1352, Fax: 82-43-649-1785, mh1352@semyung.ac.kr

Received 22 July 2010       Accepted 28 December 2010

Copyright © 2010 Korean Society of Nursing Science

Abstract

Purpose

The purposes of this study were to explain the phenomena of hot flashes in climacteric women by using Mexameter, Skin Thermometer, Corneometer, and Laser Doppler Perfusion Imager (LDPI) objectively and to identify the interrelation between the subjective and objective measurements of hot flashes by comparing the two as reported in retrospective questionnaires.

Methods

The participants were one hundred women (45-60 yr) who were not currently on hormone therapy, and had reached hot flash scores of 10 or higher. Hot flashes were measured in a temperature and humidity controlled room for 7 hr from 10 am to 5 pm. Hot flashes were measured subjectively and recorded via the Hot Flash Diary Report. When participants felt the hot flashes, they were measured objectively by Mexameter, Skin Thermometer, Corneometer, and LDPI.

Results

The frequency of hot flashes in participants ranged from 1 to 7 times. When hot flashes occurred in participants, the erythema, skin temperature, skin hydration, and blood perfusion showed statistically significant changes in all measurements. But, the subjective and objective measurements of hot flashes showed only weak correlations.

Conclusion

Results indicate a need for future research with subjective and objective measuring instruments chosen depending variations identified for the study.

Keywords: Climacteric, Hot flashes, Instrumentation

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Differences in redness, skin temperature, skin hydration, and blood perfusion between baseline and hot flashes.
*p<.001.
AU=Arbitrary unit.
jkan-40-765-g001
Table 1
General Characteristics of Participants (N=100)
jkan-40-765-i001

BMI=body mass index.

Table 2
The Frequency of Hot Flashes of Participants (N=100)
jkan-40-765-i002

*Measure in a temperature and humidity-controlled laboratory room for 7 hours from 10 am to 5 pm.

Table 3
Descriptive Statistics of Subjective and Objective Measures (N=100)
jkan-40-765-i003

*Visual Analogue Scale; †Retrospective measure; ‡Measure in a temperature and humidity-controlled laboratory room; §Arbitrary unit.

Table 4
The Correlations between Subjective Measures and Objective Measures (N=100)
jkan-40-765-i004

VAS=Visual analogue scale.

Notes

This study was supported by a grant of the Korea Healthcare Technology R&D Project, Ministry for Health, Welfare & Family Affairs, Republic of Korea (B08-0042).

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