title: A comparative multicenter study of two transdermal estradiol replacement therapies in the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Comparison of the effects of treatment of two transdermal therapeutic systems for estrogen replacement therapy with regard to efficacy, tolerability, and acceptance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open randomized.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicenter.
  
  
  METHODS
  A study population of 104 postmenopausal women was randomized on a 1:1 basis to treatment with one of two estradiol patches, System (Cilag) and Estraderm (Ciba-Geigy).
  
  
  METHODS
  Systolic and diastolic BP, hot flushes, night sweating, fatigue, insomnia, depression, nervousness, headache, vaginal discomfort (efficacy variables); bleeding, dermatological symptoms, comfort and adhesiveness of patch, and other possible causes of discontinuation (tolerability); general evaluation by patient (acceptance).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Considering all efficacy variables, 53% of Systen and 46% of Estraderm patients found the therapy satisfactory. Tolerability was somewhat higher in the Systen group. Adhesiveness of the patch was significantly better for Systen. Overall, 79% of Systen patients and 62% of Estraderm patients evaluated treatment as "good" or "very good." The majority of patients in both groups found the patch very comfortable or only slightly obtrusive.
authors.affiliation: Rijnstate EG Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Van Leusden
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Albertyn
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Verlaine
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Ruymbeke
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002979:Climacteric / Q000187:drug effects; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D014621:Vagina / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D004958:Estradiol