The value of outpatient hysteroscopy in diagnosing endometrial pathology in postmenopausal women with and without hormone replacement therapy.

Background. This study examined the endometrial pathology in postmenopausal women who had experienced abnormal uterine bleeding, both with and without hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and who subsequently underwent outpatient hysteroscopy. Methods. This is a retrospective observational and comparative study. Patient data in the period from 1998 to 2001 inclusive were examined. The influence of various factors on the incidence of pathology was determined, for example HRT use, the type of HRT, age, etc. In addition, the reliability of hysteroscopy in identifying pathology was calculated. Results. A total of 503 patients presented with postmenopausal bleeding, 299 postmenopausal women and 204 women on HRT. The incidence of endometrial carcinoma was significantly higher in the postmenopausal women not on HRT (RR > 10), and occurred in women who were significantly older ( p = 0.003). Other forms of pathology, such as complex hyperplasia, benign endometrial polyps and fibroids, did not significantly differ be...