Estrogen replacement therapy and gallbladder disease in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the role of estrogen replacement therapy on the development of gallbladder disease in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Systematic review of the English literature was conducted. All studies that addressed the association between hormone replacement therapy and gallbladder disease published from 1970 to the present were reviewed.


RESULTS
Seven observational studies, two clinical trials, two case series, and one nonrandomized and three randomized investigations were reviewed. The results of each study were reported and analyzed.


CONCLUSIONS
Estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women increased the chances for gallstone formation.
Uhler
M L
ML
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA.
Marks
J W
JW
Judd
H L
HL
D001646:Bile / Q000187:drug effects; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000209:etiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D017698:Postmenopause; D012307:Risk Factors
D002784:Cholesterol