Use of hormone replacement therapy in Washington State - Is prevention being put into practice?

BACKGROUND. American women are using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for long-term disease prevention, as well as symptom control, in increasing num bers, Our study examined the role of prevention in women's decisions to ini tiate HRT and their intended duration of therapy. METHODS. We analyzed the mailed survey responses of 2023 women aged 50 to 7 0 years from the practices of 46 physicians in the Puget Sound region for k nowledge and attitudes about HRT, current use, and intended duration of the rapy. Multiple logistic regression was used to model current HRT use and in tended treatment length. RESULTS. A total of 71% of our respondents were using HRT. Women with osteo porosis, coronary heart disease (CHD), or risk factors for CHD were not mor e likely to be using HRT, and women with CHD or risk factors for CHD were n ot targeted by their physicians for discussion of HRT. Of women using HRT, 77% expected lifelong use, and this was not more common among women initiat ing HRT for disease prevention. CONCLUSIONS. Despite the high rates of HRT use and expected lifelong durati on, use of HRT for prevention was neither higher among women most likely to benefit nor a major determinant of expected lifetime use.