[Hormone substitution therapy. Side-effects and compliance of various therapeutic regimens].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study is to evaluate the tolerability and long-term compliance of four Estrogen Progestin treatments (HRT) for menopause.


METHODS
One hundred and ten symptomatic menopausal women were divided into four groups according to therapeutic regimens: A) Estradiol (E2) transdermal treatment 50 micrograms (TTS 50) continuously administered (cont.) plus Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (MPA) 10 mg/die for twelve days a month: 35 women. B) Conjugated Equine Estrogens (CEE) 0.625 mg/die cont. plus MPA for twelve days a month: 25 women. C) Estradiol transdermal 50 micrograms (cont.) plus MPA 2.5 mg/die cont.: 26 women. D) CEE 0.625 mg/die cont. plus MPA 2.5 mg/die cont.: 24 women.


RESULTS
Menopausal symptoms were significantly reduced with all treatments. During the first year group C and D patients showed irregular bleeding (group C: 46%, group D: 61%). After 24 months the bleeding frequency was reduced (group C: 11%, group D: 13%). Mastodynia was the more frequent side-effect in particular among women who were utilizing cont.comb. regimens. The total percentage of drop out (D.O.) after 2 years was more than 30% (Group A: 31%, Group B: 33%, Group C: 39%, Group D: 35%). The most frequent reasons for abandoning HRT (79% of all DO) were not linked to therapy side-effects. 19% of DO switched to other hormonal regimens.
Perrone
G
G
I Cattedra di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università degli Studi di Roma, La Sapienza.
Barillaro
F
F
Bazzoffi
R
R
Capri
O
O
Critelli
C
C
Galoppi
P
P
Grande
S
S
Santoro
G
G
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000368:Aged; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D004958:Estradiol