The impact of coronary heart disease in determining use of hormone replacement therapy in a general practice population

The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for cardiovascular risk reduction remains uncertain. Although previous epidemiological surveys have suggested a clear benefit and nearly 50% mortality risk reduction with HRT in postmenopausal women, recent randomised trials have largely failed to support this. The epidemiological surveys may have been biased in a number of ways including the possibility that HRT users in these studies may have been healthier and taken a greater interest in modifying cardiovascular risks. The aim of the present study was to determine to what extent the revelations from all these trials have influenced HRT prescribing in general practice, in relation to cardiovascular disease. We reviewed 140 women On HRT and 140 age-matched controls from one city Centre general practice in the west of Birmingham who were randomly selected by computer. The main indication for HRT use was presence of symptoms associated with oestrogen deficiency The prevention of osteoporosis accounted for 7.1% of HRT indications, while the primary prevention of CHID was not an issue discussed by either the patient or the GP Among non-users, 86.4% did not have a known contraindication and many did not have serum lipid measurements or estimations of cardiovascular risk. There was no difference between HRT users and non-users for smoking habits and presence of cardiovascular risk factors including diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart disease. HRT users were also less likely to undergo investigations, such as cervical smear tests and mammograms. In conclusion, this survey reflects the current uncertainty surrounding the use of HRT for cardiovascular risk prevention. Importantly, women on HRT may not be any healthier than non-users, nor do they seek more preventive. care than non-users. This is contrary to previous presumptions that selection and prevention bias were the explanation for the apparent cardioprotective effects of HRT.