Improved patient acceptability with a transdermal drug-in-adhesive oestradiol patch

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Pharmacology
• Women's Health

Background:

• Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) aims to alleviate oestrogen deficiency symptoms.
• Transdermal oestradiol delivery systems offer an alternative to oral HRT.
• Patient acceptability is crucial for adherence and therapeutic success in HRT.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare patient acceptability of two transdermal oestradiol delivery systems: drug-in-adhesive (DIA) and reservoir patches.
• To assess patient preference for transdermal HRT compared to oral HRT.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, crossover trial involving 35 hysterectomised postmenopausal women.
• Participants used both DIA and reservoir patches for 4-week periods.
• Patient questionnaires evaluated patch characteristics, skin adhesion, comfort, and overall preference.

Main Results:

• The DIA patch was significantly preferred for ease of remembering application (80%), ease of opening/application (68%), cosmetic appearance (65%), and skin adhesion (61%).
• 87% of patients preferred the DIA patch overall.
• 91% of patients were as confident in transdermal patches as oral HRT, with 74% preferring transdermal treatment.

Conclusions:

• The DIA transdermal oestradiol patch demonstrates superior patient acceptability compared to the reservoir patch for managing postmenopausal oestrogen deficiency.
• Factors contributing to DIA patch preference include convenient once-weekly application, improved aesthetics, comfort, and adhesion.
• Transdermal oestradiol patches are a well-accepted alternative to oral HRT for postmenopausal women.