Disparities in Hormone Replacement Therapy Prescribing for Women with Intellectual Disabilities
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| Title: | Disparities in Hormone Replacement Therapy Prescribing for Women with Intellectual Disabilities |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Charis Bontoft (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. 2026 39(2). |
| Availability: | Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 10 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Intellectual Disability, Females, Drug Therapy, Physiology, Foreign Countries, Adults, Health Services |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom |
| DOI: | 10.1111/jar.70192 |
| ISSN: | 1360-2322 1468-3148 |
| Abstract: | Background: People with intellectual disabilities who menstruate are underrepresented in menopause research and care. Methods: A mixed-methods service evaluation was conducted in one NHS Trust. In Phase 1, prescribing data from electronic health records for women aged 40-79 with intellectual disabilities (n = 149) was extracted and statistically compared to estimates for the general population. Phase 2 comprised a focus group with psychiatrists (n = 6) and an interview with a GP (n = 1); data were analysed using framework analysis. Findings: HRT was prescribed to 3.3% of people with intellectual disabilities, versus 17.2% in the general population, indicating significantly lower prescribing (p < 0.0001). Qualitative themes highlighted low clinician awareness, diagnostic overshadowing, concerns about monitoring and system-level issues. Facilitators included psychiatrist advocacy, proactive carers and clearer primary-to-secondary care collaboration. Conclusions: Women with LD were substantially less likely to receive HRT, suggesting a marked inequity in menopause care. Recommendations are made to improve recognition, treatment access and outcomes. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1504027 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Background: People with intellectual disabilities who menstruate are underrepresented in menopause research and care. Methods: A mixed-methods service evaluation was conducted in one NHS Trust. In Phase 1, prescribing data from electronic health records for women aged 40-79 with intellectual disabilities (n = 149) was extracted and statistically compared to estimates for the general population. Phase 2 comprised a focus group with psychiatrists (n = 6) and an interview with a GP (n = 1); data were analysed using framework analysis. Findings: HRT was prescribed to 3.3% of people with intellectual disabilities, versus 17.2% in the general population, indicating significantly lower prescribing (p < 0.0001). Qualitative themes highlighted low clinician awareness, diagnostic overshadowing, concerns about monitoring and system-level issues. Facilitators included psychiatrist advocacy, proactive carers and clearer primary-to-secondary care collaboration. Conclusions: Women with LD were substantially less likely to receive HRT, suggesting a marked inequity in menopause care. Recommendations are made to improve recognition, treatment access and outcomes. |
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| ISSN: | 1360-2322 1468-3148 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/jar.70192 |
