Personal and professional use of menopausal hormone therapy among gynecologists: A multinational study (REDLINC VII)

Luis Danckers, Juan E. Blümel, Silvina Witis, Mariá S. Vallejo, Konstantino Tserotas, Hugo Sánchez, Carlos Salinas, Javier Saavedra, José A. Rojas, William Onatra, Eliana Ojeda, Desireé Mostajo, Flory Morera, Alvaro Monterrosa, Armando Montanõ, Nelva Meruvia, Mabel Martino, Jaime Martínez, Selva Lima, Erik GonzálezGustavo Gómez, Mariá T. Espinoza, Olivia Castillo, Blanca Campostrini, Andrés Calle, Gerardo Broutin, Ascanio Bencosme, Eugenio Arteaga, Félix Ayala, Peter Chedraui

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background Previously, the REDLINC VI study showed that the main reason for the low use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) was its low rate of prescription by doctors. Objective To determine the use of MHT and perceived related risks among gynecologists. Methods A self-administered and anonymous questionnaire was delivered to certified gynecologists in 11 Latin American countries. Results A total of 2154 gynecologists were contacted, of whom 85.3% responded to the survey (n = 1837). Mean age was 48.1 ± 11.4 years; 55.5% were male, 20.3% were faculty members and 85% had a partner. Overall, 85.4% of gynecologists responded that they would use MHT if they had menopausal symptoms (81.8% in the case of female gynecologists) or prescribe it to their partner (88.2% in the case of male gynecologists; p < 0.001). Perceived risk related to MHT use (on a scale from 0 to 10) was higher among female than among male gynecologists (4.06 ± 2.09 vs. 3.83 ± 2.11, p < 0.02). The top two perceived reported risks were thromboembolism (women 33.6% vs. men 41.4%, p < 0.009) and breast cancer (women 38.5% vs. men 33.9%, p < 0.03). Overall, gynecologists reported prescribing MHT to 48.9% of their symptomatic patients (women 47.3% vs. men 50.2%, p < 0.03) and 86.8% currently prescribed non-hormonal remedies and 83.8% alternative therapies for the management of the menopause. Gynecologists who were older and academic professionals prescribed MHT more often. Conclusion Although this Latin American survey showed that gynecologists are mostly supporters of MHT use (for themselves or their partners), this is not necessarily reflected in their clinical practice.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)67-71
Number of pages5
JournalMaturitas
Volume87
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2016
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Gynecologists
  • Menopausal hormone therapy
  • Personal use
  • Prescribing behavior
  • Professionals

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