Hormone therapy following the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study: perception of gynecologists in Brazil.

AIM

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study on gynecologists in Brazil, with particular emphasis on knowledge, interpretation of the study and attitude regarding hormone therapy (HT).

METHODS

A total of 806 gynecologists were evaluated through questionnaires. For the evaluation, questions regarding his/her degree of knowledge and interpretation of the WHI study, number of prescriptions written for HT and opinion regarding the ideal form of HT following the WHI study were analyzed.

RESULTS

Physicians were found to have a good knowledge of the study (97.6%). The most common interpretation of the results of the WHI study referred to the single HT regimen used in the trial in patients with specific characteristics, this being the response of 66.3% of physicians. There was a reduction of 21.7% in the intention to prescribe HT, with 32.5% of gynecologists reporting changing to a different therapeutic regimen. After the WHI study, the gynecologists showed a preference for low doses of estrogens and progestogens.

CONCLUSIONS

The WHI study had a relevant impact on the attitude of doctors in Brazil.