 “WHI,” Women’s
Health Initiative
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National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) |
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Study Principal Investigator |
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Sally Schumaker, MD, Wake Forest University
School of Medicine |
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Berman Center Site Principal Investigator |
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Berman Center Study Coordinator |
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Berman Center Project Director |
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The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) was one of the first large,
multi-site, long-term studies of women’s health. A total
of 161,861 female participants were randomized to treatment arms
that included dietary modification, hormone replacement, calcium
and vitamin D supplementation. Their health status has been followed
for more than 12 years, paying particular attention to the major
causes of death and health problems in women: cancer, heart disease,
and broken bones. |
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Role of the Berman Center |
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The Berman Center has been one of 40 participating WHI sites
since the trial’s inception in 1992. The Berman Center screened
approximately 25,000 participants for eligibility, and enrolled
4,884 participants from Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and
Iowa. The 90%
rate of visit attendance, and the 100% study completion rate, attests
both to the dedication of the participants, and the rapport established
with them by Berman Center nurses, nutritionists, and study physicians. |
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The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS) is an ancillary
study to the Women's Health Initiative (WHI). WHIMS was designed
to determine the effects of hormone therapy (HT) on the development
and progression of dementia symptoms in post menopausal women. After
the 2005 conclusion of the WHI clinical trial, the WHIMS Extension
will continue to study this relationship through testing for cognitive
function and, if needed, lab work, CT scans, and physician interviews.
Participant enrollment has concluded and the WHIMS Extension will
continue through 2007.
The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(WHIMS-MRI) is an ancillary study to the Women's Health Initiative
(WHI). WHIMS-MRI is to mount a cross sectional MRI study in approximately
1,450 women previously enrolled in WHIMS to evaluate the impact
of hormone therapy (HT) on sub-clinical neurological pathology.
Each enrolled participant will have one MRI scan of the brain.
Summary letters will be sent to each participant and her primary
physician. The Berman Center will manage the data collection and
will serve as a liaison to coordinate further clinical testing
if needed. Recruitment for WHIMS-MRI concluded in December 2005. |
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This multi-site, longitudinal study of 161,861 post-menopausal
women has concluded. It is intended to assess diet, hormone
therapy, calcium, and vitamin D for their effects on cancer,
heart disease, and broken bones, all major causes of problems
and death
in older women. The WHI Clinical Trial (CT) will evaluate the
benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), dietary
modification
(DM), and supplementation with calcium/vitamin D (CaD) on the
overall health of postmenopausal women. The Observational trial
(OS) consists
of ineligible clinical trial screenees who agreed to be followed
for nine years. Two ancillary studies, WHMS Extension and WHIMS-MRI
are currently being conducted.
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