Ethnic differences in use of hormone replacement therapy: community based survey

Hormone replacement therapy is widely promoted to prevent cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis and relieve menopausal symptoms, although concern exists that much of the cardiovascular effect may be due to its selection by healthy women.1 Little is known about its use by women from different ethnic groups in the United Kingdom, particularly women of south Asian origin, who are at increased risk of coronary heart disease,2 osteoporosis,3 and diabetes4 compared with white women. A population based survey was carried out in Wandsworth, south London, where roughly 12% of residents are from the Caribbean or west Africa (that is, of African descent) and 6% are of Indian, Pakistani, or Bangladeshi origin (that is, south Asian). Women aged 40-59 were invited from nine general practices as part of a cardiovascular screening study.4 The response rate was 66% (941/1429). Of the 941 women screened, 882 were from one of the ethnic groups being studied. Ethnic group was recorded at interview on the basis of answers to several questions, including questions on country of …