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Minimal decrease in hot flashes desired by postmenopausal women in family practice.

Debra A Butt·Linda Y R Deng·Jacqueline E Lewis·Michael Lock
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the minimal important difference in the frequency and severity of hot flashes that postmenopausal women desire from a nonhormonal agent. DESIGN: Women recorded their number of hot flashes daily, along with their degree of severity, using a diary for 1 week and completed the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire. Women were asked to report the percentage reduction in hot flashes that they would find clinically important. Distribution-based estimates were used to estimate the minimal important difference. RESULTS: Approximately 69% of the postmenopausal women who reported their hot flashes as moderate to severe responded that they wanted a nonhormonal agent that provided at least a 50% mean reduction in the frequency of hot flashes (95% CI, 32% to 66%). Median hot flash reduction for all respondents was 50%. CONCLUSIONS: The minimal clinically important difference in hot flashes is approximately 50%. This estimate can provide the basis to calculate sample size in clinical trials of anti-hot flash agents and in selecting possible candidates for investigation.

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AgedEstrogen Replacement TherapyFamily PracticeFemaleHot FlashesHumansIncidenceMenopauseMiddle AgedOntarioPatient Acceptance of Health CarePatient SatisfactionPostmenopauseQuality of LifeSeverity of Illness IndexJournal Article

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Debra A Butt, Linda Y R Deng, Jacqueline E Lewis, Michael Lock. Minimal decrease in hot flashes desired by postmenopausal women in family practice.. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.gme.0000235370.32103.4c

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