Short-term results of transdermal estrogen replacement therapy in cardiovascular disease-free postmenopausal females with and without hypertension.
BACKGROUND
Many studies have shown that estrogen replacement with oral micronized 17 beta-estradiol reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of transdermal estrogen replacement therapy in improving the risk profile of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Two hundred and fifty postmenopausal women were enrolled from the "Bene Essere Donna" Center and grouped according to the absence (Group I, n = 175; mean age 54.6 +/- 3.5) or presence of mild to moderate hypertension (Group II, n = 75; mean age 54.1 +/- 4.5). Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and fibrinogen levels were tested in all women. The total study population was treated with estrogen replacement therapy for 12 months: hysterectomized women received 17 beta-estradiol (0.05 mg/die), while non-hysterectomized women received 17 beta-estradiol 0.05 mg/die plus 5 mg/die of medroxyprogesterone acetate for 12 days during every 28-day cycle. After 12 months, blood pressure and blood chemistry were measured as baseline.


RESULTS
Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and glucose levels decreased in both groups. HDL cholesterol levels increased significantly only in the sub-group of Group II treated with estrogen plus progesterone. Triglycerides glucose and fibrinogen blood levels decreased in both groups. No cardiovascular events were recorded during the first year of follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Transdermal estrogen replacement therapy should be considered as a therapeutic support in order to contrast the elevated cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women.
Cardiology Unit II, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Modena.
M G
MG
Modena
R
R
Rossi
N
N
Muia
G
G
Origliani
O
O
Rombolà
R
R
Molinari
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D004958:Estradiol; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate