Vasomotor symptoms and the risk of incident venous thrombosis in postmenopausal women.

Essentials Vasomotor symptoms have been proposed as markers of changing cardiovascular risk. In this cohort study, we evaluated these symptoms as markers of venous thrombosis (VT) risk. We found no evidence that vasomotor symptom presence or severity were associated with VT risk. Among these postmenopausal women, vasomotor symptoms are not a useful marker of VT risk. SUMMARY: Background Vasomotor symptoms may be markers of changes in cardiovascular risk, but it is unknown whether these symptoms are associated with the risk of venous thrombosis (VT). Objective To evaluate the association of vasomotor symptom presence and severity with incident VT risk among postmenopausal women, independent of potential explanatory variables. Methods This cohort study included participants of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Hormone Therapy Trials (n = 24 508) and Observational Study (n = 87 783), analyzed separately. At baseline, women reported whether hot flashes or night sweats were present and, if so, their severity. Using Cox proportional hazards models, we estimated the VT risk associated with vasomotor symptom presence and severity, adjusted for potential explanatory variables: age, body mass index, smoking status, race/ethnicity, and time-varying current hormone therapy use. Results At baseline, WHI Hormone Therapy Trial participants were aged 64 years and WHI Observational Study participants were aged 63 years, on average. In the WHI Hormone Therapy Trials over a median of 8.2 years of follow-up, 522 women experienced a VT event. In the WHI Observational Study, over 7.9 years of follow-up, 1103 women experienced a VT event. In adjusted analyses, we found no evidence of an association between vasomotor symptom presence (hazard ratio [HR]adj  0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75-1.1 in the WHI Hormone Therapy Trials; HRadj  1.1, 95% CI 0.99-1.3 in the WHI Observational Study) or severity (HRadj for severe versus mild 0.99, 95% CI 0.53-1.9 in the WHI Hormone Therapy Trials; HRadj  1.3, 95% CI 0.89-2.0) in the WHI Observational Study) and the risk of incident VT. Conclusions Although vasomotor symptoms have been associated with the risk of other cardiovascular events in published studies, our findings do not suggest that vasomotor symptoms constitute a marker of VT risk.

Cross-sectional association of endogenous steroid hormone, sex hormone-binding globulin, and precursor steroid levels with hemostatic factor levels in postmenopausal women.

Essentials Endogenous hormone levels' influence on hemostatic factor levels is not fully characterized. We tested for associations of endogenous hormone with hemostatic factor levels in postmenopause. Estrone levels were inversely associated with the natural anticoagulant, protein S antigen. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels were inversely associated with thrombin generation. SUMMARY: Background Oral use of exogenous estrogen/progestin alters hemostatic factor levels. The influence of endogenous hormones on these levels is incompletely characterized. Objectives Our study aimed to test whether, among postmenopausal women, high levels of estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and androstenedione, and low levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), are positively associated with measures of thrombin generation (TG), a normalized activated protein C sensitivity ratio (nAPCsr), and factor VII activity (FVIIc), and negatively associated with antithrombin activity (ATc) and total protein S antigen (PSAg). Methods This Heart and Vascular Health study cross-sectional analysis included 131 postmenopausal women without a prior venous thrombosis who were not currently using hormone therapy. Adjusted mean differences in TG, nAPCsr, FVIIc, ATc and PSAg levels associated with differences in hormone levels were estimated using multiple linear regression. We measured E2, E1, total T, DHEAS, DHEA and androstenedione levels by mass spectrometry, SHBG levels by immunoassay, and calculated the level of free T. Results One picogram per milliliter higher E1 levels were associated with 0.24% lower PSAg levels (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: -0.35, -0.12) and 1 µg mL-1 higher DHEAS levels were associated with 40.8 nm lower TG peak values (95% CI: -59.5, -22.2) and 140.7 nm×min lower TG endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) (95% CI: -212.1, -69.4). After multiple comparisons correction, there was no evidence for other associations. Conclusions As hypothesized, higher E1 levels were associated with lower levels of the natural anticoagulant PSAg. Contrary to hypotheses, higher DHEAS levels were associated with differences in TG peak and ETP that suggest less generation of thrombin.

MsFLASH participants' priorities for alleviating menopausal symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To describe self-reported menopausal symptom priorities and their association with demographics and other symptoms among participants in an intervention trial for vasomotor symptoms (VMS). METHODS: Cross-sectional study embedded in the MsFLASH 02 trial, a three-by-two factorial design of yoga vs. exercise vs. usual activity and omega-3-fatty acid vs. placebo. At baseline, women (n = 354) completed hot flush diaries, a card sort task to prioritize symptoms they would most like to alleviate, and standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: The most common symptom priorities were: VMS (n = 322), sleep (n = 191), concentration (n = 140), and fatigue (n = 116). In multivariate models, women who chose VMS as their top priority symptom (n = 210) reported significantly greater VMS severity (p = 0.004) and never smoking (p = 0.012), and women who chose sleep as their top priority symptom (n = 100) were more educated (p ≤ 0.001) and had worse sleep quality (p < 0.001). ROC curves identified sleep scale scores that were highly predictive of ranking sleep as a top priority symptom. CONCLUSIONS: Among women entering an intervention trial for VMS and with relatively low prevalence of depression and anxiety, VMS was the priority symptom for treatment. A card sort may be a valid tool for quickly assessing symptom priorities in clinical practice and research.

Non-hip, non-spine fractures drive healthcare utilization following a fracture: the Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women (GLOW).

UNLABELLED: We evaluated healthcare utilization associated with treating fracture types in >51,000 women aged ≥55 years. Over the course of 1 year, there were five times more non-hip, non-spine fractures than hip or spine fractures, resulting in twice as many days of hospitalization and rehabilitation/nursing home care for non-hip, non-spine fractures. INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to evaluate medical healthcare utilization associated with treating several types of fractures in women ≥55 years from various geographic regions. METHODS: Information from the Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women (GLOW) was collected via self-administered patient questionnaires at baseline and year 1 (n = 51,491). Self-reported clinically recognized low-trauma fractures at year 1 were classified as incident spine, hip, wrist/hand, arm/shoulder, pelvis, rib, leg, and other fractures. Healthcare utilization data were self-reported and included whether the fracture was treated at a doctor's office/clinic or at a hospital. Patients were asked if they had undergone surgery or been treated at a rehabilitation center or nursing home. RESULTS: During 1-year follow-up, there were 195 spine, 134 hip, and 1,654 non-hip, non-spine fractures. Clinical vertebral fractures resulted in 617 days of hospitalization and 512 days of rehabilitation/nursing home care; hip fractures accounted for 1,306 days of hospitalization and 1,650 days of rehabilitation/nursing home care. Non-hip, non-spine fractures resulted in 3,805 days in hospital and 5,186 days of rehabilitation/nursing home care. CONCLUSIONS: While hip and vertebral fractures are well recognized for their associated increase in health resource utilization, non-hip, non-spine fractures, by virtue of their 5-fold greater number, require significantly more healthcare resources.

Health risks and benefits from calcium and vitamin D supplementation: Women's Health Initiative clinical trial and cohort study.

SUMMARY: The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial randomly assigned 36,282 postmenopausal women in the U.S. to 1,000 mg elemental calcium carbonate plus 400 IU of vitamin D(3) daily or placebo, with average intervention period of 7.0 years. The trial was designed to test whether calcium plus vitamin D supplementation in a population in which the use of these supplements was widespread would reduce hip fracture, and secondarily, total fracture and colorectal cancer. INTRODUCTION: This study further examines the health benefits and risks of calcium and vitamin D supplementation using WHI data, with emphasis on fractures, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and total mortality. METHODS: WHI calcium and vitamin D randomized clinical trial (CT) data through the end of the intervention period were further analyzed with emphasis on treatment effects in relation to duration of supplementation, and these data were contrasted and combined with corresponding data from the WHI prospective observational study (OS). RESULTS: Among women not taking personal calcium or vitamin D supplements at baseline, the hazard ratio [HR] for hip fracture occurrence in the CT following 5 or more years of calcium and vitamin D supplementation versus placebo was 0.62 (95 % confidence interval (CI), 0.38-1.00). In combined analyses of CT and OS data, the corresponding HR was 0.65 (95 % CI, 0.44-0.98). Supplementation effects were not apparent on the risks of myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, total heart disease, stroke, overall cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, or total mortality, while evidence for a reduction in breast cancer risk and total invasive cancer risk among calcium plus vitamin D users was only suggestive. CONCLUSION: Though based primarily on a subset analysis, long-term use of calcium and vitamin D appears to confer a reduction that may be substantial in the risk of hip fracture among postmenopausal women. Other health benefits and risks of supplementation at doses considered, including an elevation in urinary tract stone formation, appear to be modest and approximately balanced.

Renal function and nonvertebral fracture risk in multiethnic women: the Women's Health Initiative (WHI).

UNLABELLED: To examine the association between renal function and fracture in multiethnic women, we studied postmenopausal women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative. Postmenopausal White women with mild renal dysfunction were at increased risk of nonvertebral fracture; this association was at least partially explained by effects of renal dysfunction on chronic inflammation. Reduced renal function appeared to increase fracture risk among Black women, but there was little evidence to support this association among other racial/ethnic groups. INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine whether renal function is associated with fracture risk within racial/ethnic groups. METHODS: A nested case-control study was conducted among 93,673 postmenopausal women; incident nonvertebral fractures were identified in 362 Black, 183 Hispanic, 110 Asian, and 45 American-Indian women. A random sample of 395 White women with incident nonvertebral fracture was chosen. One nonfracture control for each case was selected (matched on age, race/ethnicity, and blood draw date). Cystatin C levels were measured using baseline serum, and estimated glomerular filtration rate calculated (eGFR(cys-c)). RESULTS: Each 1 SD increase in cystatin C was associated with a 1.2-fold increased risk of fracture among White women (adjusted odds ratios [OR], 1.23; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.04-1.46). The OR of fracture was 1.16 (95% CI, 0.85-1.58) among women with eGFR(cys-c) 60-90 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and 2.46 (95% CI, 1.16-5.21) among those with eGFR(cys-c) <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) compared to the reference group (eGFR(cys-c) >90 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) (p trend = 0.05). The association was reduced after adjustment for cytokine TNFα soluble receptors (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 0.59-4.46 for eGFR(cys-c) <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). Among Blacks, there was an association between cystatin C and fracture risk (OR per 1 SD increase, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.00-1.32); after adjustment, this association was only modestly attenuated, but no longer statistically significant. There was no evidence of significant associations among Hispanic, Asian, or American-Indian women. CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal White women with mild renal dysfunction are at increased risk of nonvertebral fracture. Effects of renal function on chronic inflammation may mediate this association. Reduced renal function may increase fracture risk among Black women, but there was little evidence to support this association among other racial/ethnic groups.

Baseline serum estradiol and fracture reduction during treatment with hormone therapy: the Women's Health Initiative randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that the reduction in fractures with hormone therapy (HT) is greater in women with lower estradiol levels. METHODS: We conducted a nested case-control study within the Women's Health Initiative HT Trials. The sample included 231 hip fracture case-control pairs and a random sample of 519 all fracture case-control pairs. Cases and controls were matched for age, ethnicity, randomization date, fracture history, and hysterectomy status. Hormones were measured prior to randomization. Incident cases of fracture were identified over an average follow-up of 6.53 years. RESULTS: There was no evidence that the effect of HT on fracture differed by baseline estradiol (E2) or sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Across all quartiles of E2 and SHBG, women randomized to HT had about a 50% lower risk of fracture, including hip fracture, compared to placebo. CONCLUSION: The effect of HT on fracture reduction is independent of estradiol and SHBG levels.

Cross-sectional correlates of fasting hyperinsulinaemia in post-menopausal women of different ethnic origin.

AIMS: In a large ethnically diverse nationwide sample of post-menopausal women we explored the relationship between fasting insulin levels, ethnicity, and a wide range of anthropometric, socio-economic, and lifestyle factors. METHODS: Subjects were post-menopausal women aged 50-79 years without diagnosed diabetes mellitus comprising a subsample (n = 3500) of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Clinical Trial and Observational Study. In a cross-sectional survey at baseline, we analysed the association between ethnicity and fasting insulin using analysis of covariance procedures and identified independent correlates of hyperinsulinaemia, defined by the 75th percentile cut point for each ethnic group. RESULTS: Fasting insulin levels were higher among African-American and Hispanic women than among non-Hispanic White or Asian women. These differences persisted after adjustment for age, educational attainment, total and central body obesity, adult weight change, family history of diabetes, smoking status, alcohol consumption, use of menopausal hormone therapy and physical activity. Higher levels of body mass index, waist-hip ratio, adult weight gain, and lower levels of total and moderate or strenuous recreational activity were independent correlates of fasting hyperinsulinaemia. Habitual walking was also inversely associated with fasting insulin. CONCLUSIONS: In this cross-sectional analysis, fasting insulin levels were higher among African-American and Hispanic post-menopausal women as compared with non-Hispanic White and Asian women. In addition, obesity, adult weight gain, and low levels of moderate or strenuous physical activity were independently associated with hyperinsulinaemia.

Women's responses to a mailed hormone replacement therapy workbook.

OBJECTIVE: Effectively communicating information about the complex decisions that face women at midlife, including whether to use hormone replacement therapy (HRT), is an ongoing challenge. Although numerous decision-making tools exist, few have been evaluated. The objective of this study was to examine women's use of a workbook designed to promote informed HRT decision-making. DESIGN: We developed a workbook to prepare women to discuss HRT, osteoporosis, heart disease, and breast cancer with their providers. To evaluate the workbook, women aged 45-65 years were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) workbook plus baseline and 6-month surveys, (2) workbook and 6-month survey, or (3) no workbook with both surveys. Results are based on the responses of 580 women in groups 1 and 2 (response rate, 84.2%). RESULTS: At 6 months, 79% of women recalled receiving the workbook, of whom 51% read all or most of it, 35% skimmed or read part of it, and 14% did not read it. The percentages of women completing self-assessments were 55% osteoporosis; 56% heart disease; 58% breast cancer; 57% advantages and disadvantages of HRT; and 52% personal preferences about HRT. As a result of the workbook, 10% made an appointment with their providers, and 12% had a discussion about HRT with their providers. Use of the workbook was not associated with menopause symptoms, attitudes about or use of HRT, hysterectomy, or provider discussions about menopause and HRT. CONCLUSION: This simple approach of using a mailed workbook holds promise as a successful mechanism to prepare women to discuss HRT and other related health issues with their providers.

Risk of recurrent coronary events in relation to use and recent initiation of postmenopausal hormone therapy.

BACKGROUND: The finding from the Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study (HERS) of increased coronary risk restricted to the first year after starting postmenopausal hormone therapy raises new questions about the role of hormone therapy in women with coronary heart disease. We assessed the risk of recurrent myocardial infarction or coronary heart disease death associated with the use and recent initiation of hormone therapy in women who survived a first myocardial infarction. METHODS: The setting for this population-based inception cohort study was Group Health Cooperative, a health maintenance organization. We studied 981 postmenopausal women who survived to hospital discharge after their first myocardial infarction between July 1, 1986, and December 31, 1996. We obtained information on hormone use from the Group Health Cooperative computerized pharmacy database and identified recurrent coronary events by medical record review. RESULTS: During median follow-up of 3.5 years, there were 186 recurrent coronary events. There was no difference in the risk of recurrent coronary events between current users of hormone therapy and other women (adjusted relative hazard [RH], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62-1.50). Relative to the risk in women not currently using hormones, there was a suggestion of increased risk during the first 60 days after starting hormone therapy (RH, 2.16; 95% CI, 0.94-4.95) and reduced risk with current hormone use for longer than 1 year (RH, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.42-1.36). CONCLUSION: These results are consistent with the findings from the HERS, suggesting a transitory increase in coronary risk after starting hormone therapy in women with established coronary heart disease and a decreased risk thereafter.

Bone mineral density and endogenous hormones and risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women (United States).

OBJECTIVE: This case-cohort study was designed to examine whether total hip bone mineral density (BMD) is independently associated with breast cancer over and above its association with other determinants, including levels of total and bioavailable estradiol and testosterone and sex-hormone binding globulin. METHODS: Our study population was selected from a cohort of 8,203 postmenopausal women who were screened for the Fracture Intervention Trial in 1992, at which time BMD was assessed, and blood samples were obtained. A total of 109 women developed breast cancer during four years of follow-up; 173 other randomly selected women from the larger cohort were also selected. Cox proportional hazards with robust variance adjustment was used for these analyses. RESULTS: Relative to women in the lower fourth of the BMD distribution, the risk associated with being in the upper fourth was 2.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-5.8). After adjusting for serum hormone levels, the corresponding relative risk was 2.5 (95% CI 0.9-5.2). With body mass index and number of years since menopause added to the multivariate analysis, the relative risk decreased to 1.4 (95% CI 0.5-4.0). CONCLUSIONS: BMD may not influence breast cancer risk independent of its relationship with endogenous hormones and measured covariates.

Bone mineral density and breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women.

Two recent studies have shown a woman's bone mineral density (BMD) (a composite measure of exposure to many different factors throughout one's lifetime) predicts breast cancer. In a prospective cohort study, we examined whether hip BMD was associated with breast cancer risk among 8203 postmenopausal women. During an average follow-up of 3.7 years, 131 incident breast cancer cases (102 invasive) were identified. Cox proportional hazards models were used to obtain estimates of the relative risk of breast cancer. Our results demonstrate an increase in breast cancer risk among women with higher BMD. Independent of age, geographic area, and body mass index, relative to the lowest BMD quartile the risk of breast cancer (95% confidence interval) by increasing quartile was 1.9 (1.1, 3.2), 1.5 (0.8, 2.6), and 1.5 (0.8, 2.7), respectively. An examination of other factors important in determining BMD may help explain the positive association between BMD and breast cancer.

Hormone replacement therapy, prothrombotic mutations, and the risk of incident nonfatal myocardial infarction in postmenopausal women.

CONTEXT: Estrogens are known to be prothrombotic, and findings from the Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study suggest that in women with clinically recognized heart disease, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be associated with early harm and late benefit in terms of coronary events. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether, as hypothesized, prothrombotic mutations modify the association between HRT use and incidence of first myocardial infarction (MI). DESIGN AND SETTING: Population-based, case-control study conducted in a Seattle-based health maintenance organization. PARTICIPANTS: Cases were 232 postmenopausal women aged 30 to 79 years who had their first nonfatal MI between 1995 and 1998. Controls were a stratified random sample of 723 postmenopausal women without MI who were frequency-matched to cases by age, calendar year, and hypertension status. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Risk of first nonfatal MI based on current use of HRT and the presence or absence of coagulation factor V Leiden and prothrombin 20210 G-->A variants among cases and controls, stratified by hypertension. RESULTS: One hundred eight MI cases and 387 controls had hypertension and 124 MI cases and 336 controls did not. Among hypertensive women, the prothrombin variant was a risk factor for MI (odds ratio [OR], 4.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52-12.1) and, in this stratum, there was also a significant interaction between use of HRT and presence of the prothrombin variant on risk of MI. Compared with nonusers of HRT with wild-type genotype, women who were current users and who had the prothrombin variant (n = 8) had a nearly 11-fold increase in risk of a nonfatal MI (OR, 10.9; 95% CI, 2.15-55.2). The interaction with the prothrombin variant was more pronounced in analyses assuming 100% compliance than in those assuming 80% compliance with HRT. The interaction was absent among nonhypertensive women and was less pronounced if hypertensive and nonhypertensive women were combined into 1 group. No interaction was found for factor V Leiden in either hypertensive or nonhypertensive women. Among hypertensive women, the estimates were affected only in trivial ways by adjustment, and the interaction with the prothrombin variant was specific to HRT. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that among postmenopausal hypertensive women, the association between HRT use and MI risk differed between those with and without the prothrombin 20210 G-->A variant. If these findings are confirmed in other studies, screening for the prothrombin variant may permit a better assessment of the risks and benefits associated with HRT in postmenopausal women.

Effects of contraceptive use on bone biochemical markers in young women.

The purpose of this study was to compare biochemical markers of bone resorption and formation in young women using different hormonal contraceptive methods. Women aged 18-39 yr who were using depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) contraception were recruited for the study; comparison women were matched by age and clinic location. There were 116 women using DMPA, 39 using oral contraceptives containing estrogen and progestin, and 72 not currently using hormonal contraceptives. Biochemical measurements were serum calcium, PTH and osteocalcin, and urine N-telopeptide. Bone density was measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The N-telopeptide levels, adjusted for age and other risk factors, were 42.4 +/- 2.3 nmol/mmol creatinine in the DMPA group, 26.2 +/- 3.3 nmol/mmol in the oral contraceptive group, and 35.4 +/- 2.9 nmol/mmol in the nonusers; significant differences were seen in all pairwise comparisons. Osteocalcin levels showed the same pattern, although the difference between the DMPA users and nonusers was not statistically significant. There were no differences among groups in the PTH levels. The bone density at the spine was 1.086 +/- 0.085 g/cm(2) in the DMPA group, 1.103 +/- 0.095 g/cm(2) in the oral contraceptive group, and 1.093 +/- 0.090 g/cm(2) in nonusers (P = 0.051). The results suggest that in women using DMPA bone resorption exceeded bone formation.

Physical inactivity and smoking increase risk for serious infections in older women.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined health and behavioral risk factors for infections that required hospitalization in postmenopausal women who were enrollees of a large health maintenance organization (HMO). METHODS: Participants were 1,365 generally healthy women aged 55 to 80 years who were followed for up to 6 years. Infection diagnoses listed first in the automated hospital discharge records were used to identify hospitalizations for which infections were the primary cause of admission. Potential risk factors for these serious infections were identified from baseline questionnaire information and automated HMO records from before baseline and during follow-up. Risks for infections associated with hospital admission were examined using multivariate logistic regression methods. RESULTS: Seventy-three women had a total of 90 hospital admissions in which infection was the primary discharge diagnosis. Behaviors that were independent predictors of infection were physical inactivity (adj. odds ratio = 4.08; 95% CI, 1.73-9.63) and smoking (adj. odds ratio = 2.64; 95% CI, 1.11-6.26). Incident cancer and lung disease were also associated with increased risk of infection. These associations were independent of age, body mass index, functional status, and other measures of health. CONCLUSIONS: Modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity and smoking may place older women at risk for serious infections although the causal link is yet to be explained. Further research in this area may lead to new strategies aimed at reducing the serious burden of infections in the older population.

Colorectal cancer screening participation by older women.

OBJECTIVE: Although recent screening guidelines recommend annual fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) for adults aged > or = 50, a number of studies report that these tests are underused. Systematic efforts to increase awareness of colorectal cancer (CRC) and to promote screening participation are needed to meet national objectives for CRC control. METHODS: This study examined CRC-screening practices and evaluated factors related to recent participation in screening by FOBT in a sample of women aged 50 to 80 who were surveyed about their use of clinical preventive services at Group Health Cooperative, a managed care organization in western Washington State. RESULTS: Of the 931 women eligible for analysis, 75% reported ever having been screened by FOBT and 48% reported having been screened within 2 years before the survey. Participation in screening did not vary by demographic characteristics or by perceived or actual risk of CRC. Women with a positive attitudes toward CRC screening had sevenfold greater odds of recent screening by FOBT (odds ratio=7.1; 95% confidence interval, 4.4 to 11.6). Only 58% of study women reported that their physicians encouraged CRC screening, but this factor was strongly related to participation (odds ratio=12.7; 95% confidence interval, 6.6 to 24.4). CONCLUSIONS: We identified several areas in which understanding of CRC risk may be low. As a whole, these findings suggest that effective strategies to control CRC may include efforts to improve knowledge of risk and prevention, but must also appeal directly to primary care physicians to identify and address their barriers to screening recommendations.

Does provider prevention orientation influence female patients' preventive practices?

BACKGROUND: Health care provider encouragement for particular preventive behaviors is associated with patient adherence, but it is unclear whether a provider's overall prevention approach influences whether patients engage in recommended preventive measures. We examined whether older women who perceived that their health care provider encouraged a particular preventive behavior were more likely to follow that recommendation if they also perceived that the provider encouraged other preventive behaviors. DATA AND METHODS: The sample included 1119 women aged 50 to 79 enrolled in a health maintenance organization. We examined associations of reported provider encouragement for post-menopausal hormone use, physical activity, fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), and flexible sigmoidoscopy with one another and with adherence to these measures according to recommended guidelines. RESULTS: Among women reporting provider encouragement for physical activity, the likelihood of reporting regular physical activity was greater among women who reported encouragement for one other (odds ratio [OR]=1.99; confidence interval [CI]=1.35 to 2.95) and at least two other (OR=2. 38; 95% CI=1.62 to 3.48) preventive measures compared with women who reported no other encouragement. The likelihood of reporting adequate counseling for post-menopausal hormone use was greater among women reporting encouragement for at least two other preventive measures compared with those reporting no other encouragement. The likelihood of having had an FOBT or sigmoidoscopic examination was related to encouragement for those procedures, but not with greater encouragement for other preventive measures. CONCLUSIONS: Patient perceptions of a provider's overall preventive practice approach may influence whether patients engage in recommended preventive practices, particularly for lifestyle factors.

Adherence to postmenopausal hormone therapy during the year after the initial prescription: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: In randomized trials a higher proportion of women prescribed continuous combined hormone replacement therapy complete the full course of treatment compared with those prescribed sequential therapy. We sought to determine adherence to hormone therapy in a less-selected population. STUDY DESIGN: Women enrolled in a prepaid health plan participated in a telephone interview 12 to 15 months after newly initiating use of hormone replacement therapy. The interview elicited information on whether the women were still taking the hormones as first prescribed and reasons for switching or discontinuation. A computerized pharmacy database was used to determine initial doses, prescription renewal, and dates of switching or discontinuation. RESULTS: The proportion continuing the originally prescribed hormone regimen at 1 year was higher among continuous combined therapy users (68.9%, 62/90) than among sequential therapy users (54.4%, 62/114). Women who initiated continuous combined therapy were less likely to have switched regimens (10.0%) than were sequential users (20.2%; relative risk, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-1.0) but only somewhat less likely to have discontinued use (21.2% vs 25.4%; relative risk, 0.7; 95% confidence interval, 0.4-1.3). Examined as a whole, women prescribed continuous combined therapy were less likely than those prescribed sequential therapy to quit or switch during the first year (relative risk, 0.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.4-1.0). CONCLUSION: Although adherence was higher among women prescribed continuous combined hormone replacement therapy than sequential therapy, the high level of nonadherence in both groups suggests room for improvement of menopausal therapies so that women find them acceptable for sustained use.

Delivery of primary care to women. Do women's health centers do it better?

OBJECTIVE: Women's health centers have been increasing in number but remain relatively unstudied. We examined patient expectations and quality of care at a hospital-based women's health center compared with those at a general medicine clinic. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: University hospital-affiliated women's health and general internal medicine clinics. PARTICIPANTS: An age-stratified random sample of 2,000 women over 18 years of age with at least two visits to either clinic in the prior 24 months. We confined the analysis to 706 women respondents who identified themselves as primary care patients of either clinic. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Personal characteristics, health care utilization, preferences and expectations for care, receipt of preventive services, and satisfaction with provider and clinic were assessed for all respondents. Patients obtaining care at the general internal medicine clinic were older and had more chronic diseases and functional limitations than patients receiving care at the women's health center. Women's health center users (n = 357) were more likely than general medicine clinic users ( n = 349) to prefer a female provider ( 57% vs 32%, p =.0001) and to have sought care at the clinic because of its focus on women's health (49% vs 17%, p =. 0001). After adjusting for age and self-assessed health status, women's health center users were significantly more likely to report having had mammography (odds ratio [OR] 4.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1, 15.2) and cholesterol screening (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0, 2.6) but significantly less likely to report having undergone flexible sigmoidoscopy (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3, 0.9). There were no significant differences between the clinics on receipt of counseling about hormone replacement therapy or receipt of Pap smear, or in satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that, at least in this setting, women's health centers provide care to younger women and those with fewer chronic medical conditions and may meet a market demand. While the quality of gender-specific preventive care may be modestly better in women's health centers, the quality of general preventive care may be better in general medical clinics.

Comparison of self-reported fecal occult blood testing with automated laboratory records among older women in a health maintenance organization.

Screening guidelines for colorectal cancer recommend annual fecal occult blood (FOB) testing for adults aged 50 years and older. Self-reported history of screening is frequently the sole source of data available to researchers and clinicians. This study validated FOB testing in a sample of 1,021 older women. Testing rates based on self-reported data exceeded rates based on computerized laboratory records by 13.9%. Agreement was moderate (kappa = 0.52; 95% confidence interval 0.47, 0.58). Sensitivity was 0.92 and specificity 0.58. Logistic regression analysis showed that older age and physician encouragement for FOB testing were associated with accurate recall (p<0.05). Self-report is the most commonly available information about the occurrence and timing of cancer detection procedures. These data suggest cautious use of self-reported screening by FOB for clinical decision making and for research and surveillance.