Sociological and behavioural characteristics of perimenopausal women with an express attitude to hormone substitution therapy

Objectives: The objective of the study is to demonstrate differences in behaviour and in sociological characteristics between women wanting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and women refusing such treatment. Methods: From a study base of 6189 women, 413 perimenopausal women with an express positive or negative attitude towards the use of HRT were interviewed on sociological and behavioural characteristics. Checks against bias were performed by analysis of reluctant participants, identified as women who either did not agree to participate until they received at least one reminder, or who dropped out immediately after the interview. Results: Women wanting HRT had higher levels of education, were less often childless, and were more frequent solarium users than women refusing this treatment. There were no differences in marital status, employment status, the average tea, coffee, wine and cigarette consumption, sun exposure, frequencies of travels abroad, or number of family cars, summer houses or boats. No difference in present smoking status was demonstrated but the estrogen users were more frequently past or present smokers. Conclusions: It is suggested that lack of knowledge of HRT may sometimes be the cause of rejecting it, or may influence on the compliance regarding its use. Familiarity with the use of the health system for other reasons than disease may promote the use of HRT. It is demonstrated that the observed patterns do not originate from self-selection bias.