OBJECTIVE

To determine if the time since menopause has effect on cognitive status and if hormone therapy (HT) influences it.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Observational, cross-sectional, prospective, comparative, open study in which postmenopausal women were evaluated with the Mental Mini State Examination (MMSE) and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). The differences were analyzed according to time since menopause among those that received or non-HT. Student t test and Pearson’s correlation analysis were done.

RESULTS

Ninety-four women were studied and divided in two groups: Group I, with HT (n =46) and Group II, without HT (n =48). The MMSE score was greater in group I, also space orientation, differed memory and language scores were greater in the group with 10 or less years since menopause when comparing it with those with more than 10 and up to 20 years and similar happened with the MRS score. In group II, the score in temporary orientation was greater in the group with 10 or less years, when compared with that with more than 10 and up to 20 years group; and with the group with more than 20 years similar happened for fixation-memory, calculation, language and MMSE score. In group I correlation was found between MMSE score and age -0.746, p < 0.001 and time since menopause -0.722, p < 0.001. In group II it was between MMSE score and age -0.863, p < 0.001 and time since menopause -0.873, p < 0.001.

CONCLUSION

Age negatively influenced the cognitive function, but this was greater in the group without HT.