Quality of life after the menopause: influence of hormonal replacement therapy

Jang, Hee Sun; Lee, Yong Hoon; Kim, Sun Hwa; Kwon, Oh Sook; Jeon, Seung Ah; Jang, Yung Su

Abstract

BACKGROUND: As life span is increasing, so is interest about adult disease. Especially the number of postmenopausal women has increased, and postmenopausal symptoms have become a important problem causing low quality of life. Hormone replacement therapy was introduced to overcome these problems. Authors investigated to evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy on the quality of life of postmenopausal women.
METHODS
From April to June 1997, we surveyed 188 postmenopausal women (91 women were on hormone replacement therapy, and 97 women were in the controlled group in Sungnam Central Hospital) with COOP/WONCA chart Korean version.
RESULTS
COOP/WONCA chart (Korean version) is composed of seven dimensions, among these four dimensions (change in health, overall health, daily activity and pain) were shown statistically significant difference between two groups. But three dimensions (social activity, physical fitness and feelings) were not shown to be statistically different. Total mean score of COOP/WONCA chart showed statistically significant difference.
CONCLUSIONS
To improve the quality of life of postmenopausal women, primary care physician should consider hormone replacement therapy along with proper patient selection and periodic follow up.