Changes in Hormone Therapy Prescriptions for Menopausal Women in Taiwan
Author Information
Author(s): Weng-Foung Huang, Yi-Wen Tsai, Fei-Yuan Hsiao, Wen-Chun Liu
Primary Institution: National Yang-Ming University
Hypothesis
The study evaluates the impact of the 2002 Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study results on the prescription of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) in Taiwan.
Conclusion
The WHI report caused a substantial decline in the use of MHT to treat menopause-related symptoms in Taiwan.
Supporting Evidence
- The proportion of outpatient visits in which MHT was prescribed dropped from 83.0% before WHI to 73.0% after WHI.
- Gynecologists and obstetricians are more likely to prescribe MHT than other specialties.
- Women with college education or higher were less likely to be prescribed MHT after the WHI report.
Takeaway
After a big study said hormone therapy might be risky, fewer women in Taiwan started using it for menopause symptoms.
Methodology
This retrospective study analyzed outpatient claims and survey data from women treated for menopause-related symptoms before and after the WHI report.
Potential Biases
Potential selection bias as those who did not consent to data linkage were more likely to be older, less educated, and healthier.
Limitations
The study did not account for women seeking non-pharmacological treatments and may underestimate the reaction to the WHI report.
Participant Demographics
Most participants were aged 45-55, had elementary school education or lower, were married, and were unemployed.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.36
Confidence Interval
0.25 to 0.52
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website