Patient Compliance of Women Taking Estrogen Replacement Therapy

Abstract

This was a study of the medication taking compliance of 2,106 women who were taking estrogen replacement therapy. Prescription refill information from a centralized prescription database was used to measure compliance. Patient and physician information obtained from insurance claims databases and medical records was linked to the compliance information to see if there was a set of characteristics that was related to women being compliant or noncompliant on estrogen.

At six months, one year, and two years, 79%, 62%, and 40% of the women, respectively, were still filling their prescriptions for estrogen. Logistic regression models indicate that women 56 years of age or older, who experienced hormone side effects, had cholesterol and pap tests, or who had a history of cancer were more likely to be noncompliant. Women with a personal or family history of cardiovascular problems or who experienced menopausal symptoms were more likely to be compliant.