26 October 2021
A new, in-depth study from the University of East Anglia (UEA) has found that for healthy women taking combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the overall risk of death from all causes is reduced by an average 9 per cent. For healthy women taking oestrogen-only therapy, the risk of death from all causes remains neutral.
The study, commissioned by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA), is the first to look at the impact of HRT on overall life expectancy using UK primary care data. It followed 105,199 healthy women aged 46 to 65 years at first HRT prescription over up to 32 years with an average follow-up of 13 years, and compared their outcomes with 224,643 non-users of the same age and GP practice.
Most previous studies adjusted for demographic and/or lifestyle factors only. The UEA research went much further, also adjusting for type 2 diabetes, hypertension and its treatments, coronary heart disease and oophorectomy/hysterectomy status, as well as body mass index, smoking and deprivation status.
Nick Steel, Clinical Professor in Public Health, Norwich Medical School, provided independent oversight of the research and said:
“It’s exciting that this new research found that combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use was linked to an overall lower risk of death, and that oestrogen-only HRT was not linked to an increased risk of death.
“HRT use has been controversial for many years, as it offers symptomatic relief to many women but there have been conflicting reports about the long-term risk of breast cancer, as well as possible benefits to cardiovascular health. UK primary care data has now enabled long term follow-up of thousands of women in the UK, comparing the overall risk of death over many years for those using HRT with those not using it.”
The research comes as Labour MP Carolyn Harris is introducing a private member’s bill to change legislation so that women in England would not have to pay for HRT. The bill is due to receive its second reading on Friday 29 October.
Louise Pryor, IFoA President, said:
“This study supports the emerging consensus that, for most women, the benefits of HRT outweighs the harm. We hope this research will help to inform the debate as the private member’s bill is considered in Parliament and also, support women deciding whether to start or continue with HRT.
“Delving into these complex, long-term, multi-faceted issues is where the IFoA’s Actuarial Research Centre can really add value. It provides a valuable lens for exploring some of the most pressing social and policy challenges of the 21st century through credible, evidence-based insight and analysis in the public interest.”
~ENDS~
Contact
Sonia Sequeira, Media Relations Manager, IFoA
Tel: 07525 592 198
Email: sonia.sequeira@actuaries.org.uk
Notes to Editor
- ‘The effect of hormone replacement therapy on the survival of UK women: a retrospective cohort study 1984−2017’. Nurunnahar Akter, Prof Elena Kulinskaya, Prof Nicholas Steel, Dr Ilyas Bakbergenuly. Peer-reviewed preprint. October 2021.
- ‘New research suggests beneficial impact of hormone replacement therapy’. Prof Nicholas Steel. October 2021.
About the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) is a royal chartered, not-for-profit, professional body.
Research undertaken by the IFoA is not commercial. As a learned society, research helps us to fulfil our royal charter requirements to further actuarial science and serve the public interest.
Actuaries provide commercial, financial and prudential advice on the management of a business’s assets and liabilities, especially where long term management and planning are critical to the success of any business venture. They also advise individuals, and advise on social and public interest issues.
Members of the IFoA have a statutory role in the supervision of pension funds and life insurance companies. They also have a statutory role to provide actuarial opinions for managing agents at Lloyd’s of London.
Members are governed by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. A rigorous examination system is supported by a programme of continuing professional development and a professional code of conduct supports high standards reflecting the significant role of actuaries in society.
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