Hormone replacement therapy menopause with a better future--a survey of views on hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Journal Article (Journal Article)
OBJECTIVE: To assess the views and prescribing practices of doctors regarding hormone replacement therapy (HRT). METHODS: In April 1999, 103 doctors from a teaching hospital participated in a survey. Using a self-administered questionnaire, subjects were contacted at the departments of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Orthopaedics. RESULTS: Seventy-two percent were below 40 years of age and 67% of the respondents were male. Most doctors believed that HRT decreases the risk of subsequent osteoporosis (97%), ischaemic heart disease (77%) and depression associated with menopause (64%). Doctors generally considered menopausal symptoms (90%), premature menopause (87%), surgical menopause (85%) and osteoporotic fracture (77%) as clear indications for hormone replacement therapy. Absolute contraindications to the therapy were stated as recent breast cancer (82%) and recent endometrial cancer (84%). Among the specialities covered, there were differing views on proposed duration of HRT. It was generally believed that a pelvic examination, cervical smear and mammography were pre-requisites when initiating and monitoring HRT. Majority (69%) felt that HRT should be offered to all menopausal women, assuming no contraindications and most (73%) did discuss HRT with their patients. However, less than 10% of the menopausal patients under their care were using HRT. Those doctors not in favor of universal offering of HRT (31%) considered unreliable patient follow up to be the main reason. Females were two times more likely to discuss HRT with their patients (p = .08). Doctors who discussed HRT with their patients were four times more likely to consider HRT for themselves or their spouses (p = .13). Gynecologists were eight times more likely to prescribe HRT than non-gynecologists (p = .001). CONCLUSION: Doctors are positively disposed to the universal offering, and use of HRT. Further studies are needed to understand a possible gap between perceived and actual prescribing practice.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Shafi, S; Samad, Z; Syed, S; Sharif, A; Khan, MA; Nehal, US; Siddiqui, AR
Published Date
- December 2001
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 51 / 12
Start / End Page
- 450 - 453
PubMed ID
- 11850984
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0030-9982
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- Pakistan