Compliance with 10 years oral hormonal replacement therapy

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Women's Health

Background:

• Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) is used to manage menopausal symptoms.
• Understanding long-term patient adherence to different HRT regimens is crucial for effective treatment.
• Early postmenopausal women represent a key demographic for HRT studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the 10-year compliance rates of oral hormonal replacement therapy (HRT).
• To compare the long-term adherence between continuous combined and sequential HRT regimens.
• To assess the adherence of women initially receiving placebo in a long-term HRT study.

Main Methods:

• A 10-year follow-up study involving 151 early postmenopausal women.
• Initial 2-year double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with three groups: continuous combined HRT, sequential HRT, and placebo.
• Open investigation follow-up for 10 years post-trial.

Main Results:

• 83% of women attended the 10-year interview.
• 42% of the continuous combined HRT group remained on treatment after 10 years; 87% of those on combined therapy for 8 years continued at year 10.
• 24% of the sequential HRT group continued, while another 24% switched HRTs due to monthly bleeding.
• 53% of the initial placebo group never used HRT, and 18% initiated HRT later.

Conclusions:

• Long-term compliance with continuous combined hormonal replacement therapy is excellent.
• Continuous combined HRT demonstrates superior long-term adherence compared to sequential HRT.
• Patient preference and side effect management (e.g., monthly bleeding) influence HRT regimen choices over time.