Use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) among women aged 45-64 years in the German EPIC-cohorts.

Objective: To describe the prevalence and to assess type and indicators of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use in the two German EPIC-cohorts.

Methods: Approximately 30,000 women predominantly aged 35-65 years were recruited in EPIC-Heidelberg and EPIC-Potsdam between 1994 and 1998. Information on diet and lifestyle, medical history and use of hormone therapy was collected at recruitment. Prevalence and type of HRT-regime was described and logistic regression models used to examine correlates of HRT-use.

Results: Among women aged 45-64 years, 37.9% in Heidelberg and 35.8% in Potsdam were current HRT users. Among current users without bilateral oophorectomy, 40.5% in Heidelberg and 23.7% in Potsdam used HRT for at least 5 years. Most women in Heidelberg were taking cyclic combined or estrogen monotherapy, whereas in Potsdam both continuous combined and cyclic combined therapies were most frequently used. In both centres, older age, ever use of oral contraceptives, and alcohol consumption were indicators for both current and ever HRT-use. HRT-use was less frequent in obese women as compared to women with lower BMI. In Potsdam, but not in Heidelberg, higher education and current smoking were associated with HRT-use.

Conclusion: In both German EPIC-cohorts, the prevalence of medication with HRT is high compared to other European countries. Types of exogenous hormones used differed by centre. Various reproductive and lifestyle characteristics were identified as correlates of HRT-use.