Objectives and study design: Evaluation of quality of life of women in the climacteric period with the use of an individually developed questionnaire of a transitory period. Evaluation of the effect of Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) on health related quality of life.
Materials and methods: A group of 190 women in the perimenopause period was subject to an analysis. The criterion of qualification for the investigated group was medical history of a patient, which revealed climacteric symptoms and age of women (from 45 to 60 years old). The patients were divided into two main groups depending on the use of HRT The first group--investigated group - adhibiting HRT consists of 76 patients, the second one--control group--114 patients. Within each of the groups, 5 subgroups were isolated basing on the moment of the menopause occurrence. The research tool was an individually developed questionnaire consisting of SF-36, Green Scale and Beck Depression Scale.
Results: Between the group subject to HRT and the control group, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed concerning the quality of life parameters, intensification of depression connected with climacteric and symptoms of the climacteric syndrome.
Conclusions: 1. The application of HRT in women after menopause contributes to an improvement of the general quality of life, of mood and vitality. 2. Women subject to the therapy constitute a minority. Thus, HRT should be promoted in order to improve the life quality of women in that period so difficult for them. 3. The transitory period questionnaire is a good work tool, which allows to determine the necessity of the therapy application and to monitor its course.