Health Related Quality of Life After Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy
Author Information
Author(s): Welton Amanda J, Vickers Madge R, Kim Joseph, Ford Deborah, Lawton Beverley A, MacLennan Alastair H, Meredith Sarah K, Martin Jeannett, Meade Tom W
Primary Institution: MRC General Practice Research Framework
Hypothesis
What is the effect of combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on health related quality of life in postmenopausal women?
Conclusion
Combined HRT started many years after the menopause can improve health related quality of life.
Supporting Evidence
- Women taking combined HRT reported fewer hot flushes and night sweats after one year.
- Improvements in sexual functioning and sleep problems were also noted in the combined HRT group.
- Breast tenderness and vaginal discharge were more common in the combined HRT group.
Takeaway
This study found that hormone therapy can help women feel better after menopause by improving sleep and reducing hot flashes, but it can also cause some side effects like breast tenderness.
Methodology
Randomised placebo controlled double blind trial involving postmenopausal women aged 50-69.
Potential Biases
Participants who stopped treatment early may have had different symptom profiles than those who continued.
Limitations
Loss to follow-up and considerable discontinuation of study medication may have introduced selection bias.
Participant Demographics
Postmenopausal women aged 50-69 with an intact uterus or subtotal hysterectomy.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
0.07 to 0.12
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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