Original article
English
Elfituri A, Sherif F, Elmahaishi M, Chrystyn H.
School of Pharmacy, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK.
Maturitas. 2005 Sep 16;52(1):52-9.
Abstract
Most previous studies designed to evaluate the efficacy of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have been carried out in Europe, North America and Australia, involving Caucasian women for 6 months or less. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the 12-month effects of two different HRT regimens on postmenopausal symptoms of Middle-Eastern women. METHODS: Hundred healthy Libyan women with postmenopausal symptoms, 12 months or more since their last menstrual period, were enrolled in a 12-month prospective study. Participants were randomly prescribed one of the two formulations, 50 in each group. These regimens were a continuous regimen of tibolone 2.5 mg oral tablets and a continuous regimen of 17beta-oestradiol sequentially combined with dydrogesterone (2/10 mg) oral tablets. The presence and severity of short- and intermediate-term symptoms were reported at 0, 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment. Observed symptoms were hot flushes, night sweating, palpitations, insomnia, depression, nervousness, loss of memory, vaginal dryness, loss of libido and joint pain. RESULTS: Forty-nine women (98%) in each group completed the 12-month study period. Participants, in the two groups, experienced a significant improvement within the first 3 months of treatment. The observed symptoms were completely relived by the sixth month without any significant difference between the two groups. Improvements were sustained over the 12-month period of the study. HRT users showed their acceptance to the two regimens. CONCLUSIONS: Tibolone and 17beta-oestradiol/dydrogesterone oral tablets were effective and safe to treat short- and intermediate-term symptoms in Middle-Eastern postmenopausal women, within 6 months, and with no significant differences between the groups. Thus, the use of HRT to relieve menopausal symptoms is highly recommended, at least in this region.
Keywords: Hormone replacement therapy; Postmenopausal symptoms; Middle-Eastern women
Link/DOI: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T9F-4F9SY7G-2&_coverDate=09%2F16%2F2005&_alid=523346438&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_qd=1&_cdi=5113&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=5d695651f23af9dba6549fb883877d3c