Hormone replacement therapy and health behavior in postmenopausal polio survivors.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use in women with disabilities. The objectives of this study were to explore the health behaviors, health outcomes, and efficacy of HRT in a group of postmenopausal polio survivors and to compare selected outcomes to nationally representative cohorts.


METHODS
One hundred and thirty-one postmenopausal polio survivors completed self-report surveys on health behaviors, HRT use, functional status, and psychosocial well-being. During a physical examination, fasting cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) were collected. Independent sample t-tests and Chi-square analysis were used to compare HRT users and non-users on health behaviors and health outcomes; logistic regression was used to predict HRT use.


RESULTS
Prevalence of HRT use was 58%. Only BMI predicted HRT use (OR = 0.30, CI: 0.11-0.81). HRT users had better high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein, total cholesterol/HDL ratios, lower BMIs, were more confident when communicating with their physicians, more likely to discuss menopause with their physician, and experienced greater overall stress. HRT was not associated with health behavior, health-related quality of life, mood, or life satisfaction. Compared to non-disabled women, more of these women had higher total cholesterol, obesity, more sleeping problems, and were less likely to vigorously exercise or smoke.


CONCLUSIONS
HRT did not confer substantial benefits in these postmenopausal polio survivors to warrant them using HRT at a higher rate than their non-disabled peers. Comparisons to their non-disabled peers suggested they may be at higher risk for adverse health problems associated with postmenopause.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, MPB D4100, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0718, USA. clairez@umich.edu
Claire Z
CZ
Kalpakjian
Barth B
BB
Riley
Elisabeth H
EH
Quint
Denise G
DG
Tate
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL