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Compliance with long-term oral hormonal replacement therapy
1Department of Clinical Physiology, Hillerød Hospital, Denmark.
Maturitas
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Continuous combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) shows high long-term compliance in postmenopausal women. This approach may offer an alternative to sequential HRT, particularly for those disliking monthly bleeding.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used for managing menopausal symptoms.
- Long-term compliance with HRT is crucial for sustained therapeutic benefits.
- Understanding factors influencing adherence is essential for optimizing treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate long-term compliance with oral hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) in early postmenopausal women.
- To compare compliance rates between continuous combined HRT, sequential HRT, and placebo groups over an 8-year period.
Main Methods:
- A 2-year double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 151 early postmenopausal women allocated to continuous combined HRT, sequential HRT, or placebo.
- Subsequent 8-year open follow-up investigation to assess long-term treatment adherence and modifications.
Main Results:
- After 8 years, 85% of women were interviewed.
- Continuous combined HRT demonstrated high sustained treatment rates (46% at 8 years, 95% of those treated for 5 years), with no participants switching to other therapies.
- Sequential HRT showed lower sustained treatment rates (32% at 8 years), with 18% switching, often due to monthly bleeding; 52% of those on sequential HRT for 5 years continued until year 8.
- 18% of the placebo group initiated HRT, while 53% remained untreated.
Conclusions:
- Continuous combined HRT appears to offer superior long-term compliance compared to sequential HRT in postmenopausal women.
- The continuous combined regimen may be a viable alternative for women seeking sustained HRT benefits without monthly withdrawal bleeding.