Menopause and HRT--the state of the art in Europe.
The HRT field has been dramatically affected by the publication on major randomised controlled trials of the long-term effects of HRT. The publicity surrounding the publication of these data has affected public and regulatory perceptions of HRT and its role in healthcare, including the relatively short-term use of HRT for the relief of menopausal symptoms. An evidence-based appraisal of the role of HRT today is best achieved by considering the different components of the effects of HRT individually, based on the best trial evidence, and then considering these together in the context of the age of woman concerned and the specific components relevant to that woman's health profile. This paper summarises the effects of HRT using this approach in the context of European practice today and describes the events surrounding the regulatory and scientific society position statements.
Barlow
David H
DH
Wolfson Medical School Building, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK. execdean@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005060:Europe; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000517:prevention & control; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D016387:Women's Health