Health
WHI results for HT may not be relevant for younger women
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 8, 2004
Hormone therapy should only be prescribed for alleviation of menopausal symptoms, and the data from the Women's Health Initiative may not be applicable to younger women who are the most appropriate candidates for the pills, according to a presentation at the American Academy of Family Physicians scientific sessions in Orlando last month by one of the study's principal investigators.
"We really need to be attentive to the primary indications for this medication," said Robert D. Langer, MD, MPH, associate professor in the department of family and preventive medicine at the University of California, San Diego.
According to his presentation, the WHI underenrolled younger women, and more analysis is needed to determine how the effects of HT differ according to age of initiation and the health status of the women.
"The results are not generalizeable to younger women," he said. "And there are possibly later benefits if started nearer menopause."
The final results of the arms of the WHI looking at a low-fat diet or calcium and vitamin D supplementation are due out in March of next year.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/11/08/hlbf1108.htm.
