Document Type
Article
Department
Community Health Sciences
Abstract
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.
Publication (Name of Journal)
Journal of Pakistan Medical Association
Recommended Citation
Shafi, S.,
Samad, Z.,
Syed, S.,
Sharif, A.,
Khan, M. A.,
Nehal, U. S.,
Siddiqui, A. R.
(2001). Hormone replacement therapy menopause with a better future--a survey of views on hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, 51(12), 450-453.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_chs_chs/484