1. ¹Primrose Oncology Research Unit, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, Kempston Road, Bedford MK4 9DJ, UK
2. ²Cranfield Health, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
3. ³Addenbrooke's Hospital (Cambridge University) NHS Trust, Hill's Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK
4. ⁴Institute of Rehabilitation, The University of Hull, Anlaby Road, Hull HU3 2PG, UK

Correspondence: Professor R Thomas, Bedford & Addenbrooke's Hospitals, C/o The Primrose Oncology Research Unit, Cranfield University, Bedford Hospital, Bedford MK42 9DJ, UK. E-mail: rt@cancernet.co.uk

Received 29 November 2007; Revised 27 February 2008; Accepted 28 February 2008; Published online 8 April 2008.

Abstract

We report an open-label, prospective, crossover study involving 184 post-menopausal women experiencing hot flushes on adjuvant tamoxifen (T). Six weeks after switching to an AI, the primary end point, hot flush score, improved by 47.3% (P<0.001) compared to those reported on T. The mean mood rating scale (MRS) score improved by 9.7% (P=0.01). The total mean combined FACT (b+es) score improved from 134.2 (95% CI 2.96) to 143.5 (95% CI 2.96 <0.001), and the endocrine subscale improved by 9.8% from 51.73 (95% CI 1.38) to 57.34 (CI 1.38, P<0.001). At 6 weeks, significantly more women chose to remain on an AI: 133 (72%), vs 40 (22%) (P<0.001) preferring T. At 3 months, 107 (58%) preferred to remain on an AI, 55(30%) on T, and 22 (12%) withdrew. The overall arthralgia rate at 3 months was 47% on AI and 30% on T (P=0.001). In all 182 (99%) women reported appreciating the opportunity to experience both drugs. These data suggest that if patients suffering significant adverse effects on T are given the opportunity to try an AI, this empowers them to prioritise relative side-effects, improving wellbeing in a significant proportion. These data also highlight the need for hospital follow-up in this intolerant cohort.