Effects of transdermal estradiol gel and oral tibolone on health-related quality of life after surgical menopause

Abstract 

Objective

To study the effects of 6months of treatment with transdermal estradiol gel versus oral tibolone on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after surgical menopause.

Methods

In a randomized single-blind trial, Indian women received either oral tibolone tablets (2.5mg) or transdermal estradiol gel (0.06%) daily. Each woman scored herself on the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) II at the beginning of the study and after 6months. Independent t tests were used to determine the significance of changes in HRQOL.

Results

In total, 31 (81.6%) women who received estradiol gel and 38 (100.0%) women who received tibolone completed treatment. Intent-to-treat analysis showed that, after 6months of treatment, the total MRS score was significantly reduced in the tibolone group compared with the transdermal estradiol gel group (−9.5±5.1 versus −4.9±5.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.0–7.0; P<0.01). Significant improvements were also noted in the tibolone group in terms of somatovegetative (P=0.04) and psychologic (P<0.01) domains.

Conclusion

Oral tibolone treatment was more effective than transdermal estradiol gel at improving HRQOL in Indian women with surgical menopause.

Keywords: Health-related quality of life, Tibolone, Transdermal estradiol gel