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.