Ma Jun, Drieling Rebecca, Stafford Randall S
Program on Prevention Outcomes and Practices, Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5705, USA.
Menopause. 2006 May-Jun;13(3):506-16. doi: 10.1097/01.gme.0000179047.00748.53.
Women increasingly use alternative therapies for menopause symptom relief. We examined 1) current use and perceptions of hormone and alternative therapies for symptom relief among US women, and 2) healthcare provider involvement in women's decision making.
An online survey was completed by a national sample of 781 US women aged 40 to 60 years (72% survey completion rate) drawn from the Knowledge Networks panel in June 2004. Nationally representative estimates of women's use and perceptions of hormone and alternative therapies were made by accounting for sampling weights and survey design.
Hormone therapy was reported among 263 or 37% of this largely symptomatic sample, of whom 59% had stopped primarily due to concern about its potential risks. Herbal products and soy supplements separately were used among 31% and 13% of symptomatic women, of whom 41% and 67% were current users. Forty-four percent of herb users considered these products helpful with symptom relief. Sampled women generally felt ill informed about proper doses and usage of herbal products. Also, 58% of the sampled women expressed at least some concerns about these products, whereas proven safety was the most important factor when women consider such products. Despite considering healthcare providers the most reliable source of information, sampled women expressed low confidence in their ability to give sufficient information about treatment options for menopause symptoms.
Alternative therapies have become increasing popular and are quickly approaching hormone therapy in frequency as therapies for symptom relief among menopause-age women in the United States. However, large gaps exist between patient expectations and provider preparedness to guide patient decision making.
越来越多的女性使用替代疗法来缓解更年期症状。我们研究了：1）美国女性目前使用激素和替代疗法缓解症状的情况及看法；2）医疗保健提供者在女性决策过程中的参与情况。
2004年6月，从知识网络小组抽取了781名年龄在40至60岁之间的美国女性作为全国样本，完成了一项在线调查（调查完成率为72%）。通过考虑抽样权重和调查设计，得出了关于女性使用激素和替代疗法情况及看法的全国代表性估计值。
在这个以有症状者为主的样本中，有263人（占37%）报告使用过激素疗法，其中59%的人主要因担心其潜在风险而停止使用。有症状的女性中，分别有31%和13%使用过草药产品和大豆补充剂，其中41%和67%是当前使用者。44%的草药使用者认为这些产品有助于缓解症状。抽样女性普遍觉得对草药产品的正确剂量和用法了解不足。此外，58%的抽样女性至少对这些产品有些担忧，而在女性考虑此类产品时，已证实的安全性是最重要的因素。尽管抽样女性认为医疗保健提供者是最可靠的信息来源，但她们对提供者提供足够更年期症状治疗选择信息的能力信心不足。
在美国，替代疗法越来越受欢迎，在缓解更年期女性症状的疗法中，其使用频率正迅速接近激素疗法。然而，患者期望与提供者指导患者决策的准备情况之间存在很大差距。
