Variability of bothersome menopausal symptoms over time - a longitudinal analysis using the Estonian postmenopausal hormone therapy trial (EPHT)

• Main Authors: Hemminki Elina (Author), Regushevskaya Elena (Author), Luoto Riitta (Author), Veerus Piret (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2012-12-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.1186/1472-6874-12-44; 1472-6874
• Keywords: Menopausal symptoms; Duration; Follow-up; Estonia; Gynecology and obstetrics; RG1-991; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: BMC Women's Health, Vol 12, Iss 1, p 44 (2012)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Very little data are available on the natural course or level of disturbance of vasomotor symptoms among middle-aged women. Using readily collected trial data we studied the persistence of vasomotor symptoms among untreated women.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a trial comparing combined hormone therapy to placebo or no treatment (control groups), a cohort of women aged 50-59 at recruitment were followed annually by questionnaires. Women in the control groups (n = 486) were grouped by the number of years followed, with the prevalence and severity of symptoms calculated both cross-sectionally and longitudinally.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>About two thirds of the women (67%) reported vasomotor symptoms and half (46%) bothersome symptoms at recruitment. In the cross-sectional analysis, their prevalence declined between recruitment and 1-year follow-up (32% bothersome symptoms) and 2-year follow-up (27%). Thereafter it remained about the same level. In the longitudinal analysis, there was a notable variation in the prevalence of disturbing vasomotor symptoms over time, time entering the study and the compliance to the surveys. In the two groups having most follow-up times, the proportion of women with bothersome symptoms first increased and then decreased.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>There was a notable variability in the development of disturbing vasomotor symptoms over time in a selected group of women aged 50-59. Population-based follow-up studies of untreated women would be useful to estimate the symptom burden.</p>