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

Menopause. 2007 Mar-Apr;14(2):203-7. doi: 10.1097/01.gme.0000235370.32103.4c.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Estrogen Replacement Therapy*
  • Family Practice
  • Female
  • Hot Flashes / drug therapy*
  • Hot Flashes / epidemiology
  • Hot Flashes / pathology
  • Hot Flashes / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Menopause
  • Middle Aged
  • Ontario / epidemiology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care*
  • Patient Satisfaction*
  • Postmenopause / physiology
  • Quality of Life*
  • Severity of Illness Index