The objective of this study was to identify factors affecting hormone
replacement therapy (HRT) usage among patients of a single physician.
All active patients (n = 330) given a HRT prescription over the past 1
0 years (1985-1995) by the physician were sent a questionnaire on heal
th knowledge, lifestyle patterns, general medical and reproductive his
tories, responses to HRT usage and decision-making about HRT use. A to
tal of 214 useful questionnaires were returned giving a response rate
of 65%. For this cohort, the length of HRT use for those still taking
HRT was 60 months; and for those no longer taking HRT, it was 32 month
s; and 85% of those ever given an HRT prescription were still using HR
T at the time of survey. The educational backgrounds, exercise pattern
s, health knowledge, medical and reproductive histories of this group
were representative of those found among suburban postmenopausal women
in central Pennsylvania. Among this cohort, the most important reason
for them taking HRT was the physicians' recommendation. (C) 1997 Else
vier Science Ireland Ltd.