Health status of hormone replacement therapy users and non-users as determined by the SF-36 quality-of-life dimension

Background: The objective of this study was to compare the health status of women who use and do not use hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Method The 1994 South Australian Health Omnibus Survey (a population health interview survey) was used to administer the short form-36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36) to users and non-users of HRT. A representative sample of 813 women aged 40 years and older were interviewed. The response rate of the survey was 72.4%. Eight health dimensions of the SF-36 were measured: physical functioning, social functioning, role limitations owing to emotional problems, role limitations owing to physical problems, mental health, vitality, pain and general health. Results: The mean score for all eight health dimensions was in the bottom 50% of the population for HRT users while non-users were in the upper 50%. Users of HRT had significantly poorer scores for physical limitations, body pain, general health, vitality, social functioning and mental health. Conclusion: Women who use HRT are less healthy than non-users when measured by a generic health status measure.