Lifestyle factors and choice of hormone replacement therapy among Danish nurses.

BACKGROUND

Studies have found that women who use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are healthier or report better health than non-users. This study examines the association between lifestyle factors, self-reported health and the use of HRT in Danish female nurses above the age of 50 years.

METHODS

Postal questionnaires were used for data collection. Two cohorts were examined, a younger including women between 50 and 59 years and an older including women of 60 years and above.

RESULTS

Of the 14,071 nurses included, 5,528 (39%) reported ever using HRT. In both cohorts, ever using HRT was positively associated (odds ratio > 1) with intake of vitamin supplements, alcohol consumption at weekends, consulting a physician, use of medicine, and previous use of oral contraceptives. Only a few differences were found between former and current users of HRT. A highly significant association was found between ever using HRT and self-reported poor health.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study use of HRT was not found to be associated with a particularly healthy lifestyle or better health. Therefore, these factors should be specifically considered in studies evaluating the effect of HRT.