Well Prajna – you asked an open question “How scientific is this†after your statement “Not really a very big studyâ€. I responded with another question “What is not scientific?†and explained this with quotes from the news articles and more importantly the news report on this site which isn't a press report – it is Menopause Matters' summary of the info and will have been endorsed by Dr Currie, where the fact that it is a small study ( which was your criticism of it) was recognised, and that it added to evidence from recent existing studies which came to the same conclusion.
You subsequent question to me was not about the data or the scientific paper or the news report – it was about what I would have said – and what I said was not my interpretation – I was quoting the information given in the press reports and on this site. I was just elucidating (or so I thought) from the information available and quoting from the links given by Emma – for anyone who didn't have time to read them as well as echoing Dr Currie's views.
The article in the Telegraph states at the bottom “ The new research was published at the ASRM annual meeting in Baltimoreâ€. I googled this meeting before making my first post but couldn't find direct reference to it ie the actual research study so maybe this is a press release in advance of the presentation of the paper later in the week – dahliagirl?
Even in the absence of full information at this point – we are not being told (on here) what to think by newspapers - I think that was the point of Emma providing the links as well as Dr Currie's interpretation of the information – where – and I have to say this again – the small sample size was acknowledged and that the study added to the body of data which has come to a similar conclusion.
Incidentally while googling again I found the Guardian report – as always giving more details:
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/oct/19/hrt-to-treat-menopause-is-safe-studyThey report that:
The total sample size was 80 treated (with HRT) + 56 controls (no HRT) = 136
The women were followed for up to 25 years (presumably some of them)
Women on HRT were analysed for up to 14 years.
Full body scans were carried out on the women in the study every year for 10 years.
Of course it is not possible to conclude from this one study that HRT is absolutely safe – but it provides additional evidence which supports the view that the risks have been overstated.
Hurdity x
