[Measurement of skin thickness by high-frequency ultrasound to objectify the effects of hormone replacement therapy in the perimenopause].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to show the influence of three different hormone replacement therapy regimes (HRT) by comparing the changes in skin thickness.


METHODS
Skin thickness was measured using a high-frequency ultrasound system on the inner side of the left upper arm of perimenopausal women with a low oestradiol level (< 45 pg/ml). The patients were allocated to different groups: Group1 (n = 6) received oestradiol merely transdermally; Group 2 (n = 7) was given transdermal oestradiol as well as progesterone vaginally; Group 3 (n = 8) took oral oestradiol and vaginal progesterone; Group 4 (n = 3) served as the control group without therapy.


RESULTS
The median value of skin thickness in all HRT-groups increased highly significantly (0.15 mm) after six months (0.91 mm before therapy versus 1.06 mm after six months of HRT), but there was no significant change in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The study shows that HRT leads to an increase of skin thickness which can be demonstrated by a high-frequency ultrasound.
Sator
P G
PG
Klinische Abteilung für Spezielle Dermatologie/Umweltdermatosen, Universität Wien, Allgemeines Krankenhaus. sap@der.khl.magwien.gv.at
Sator
M O
MO
Schmidt
J B
JB
Huber
J C
JC
Hönigsmann
H
H
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012867:Skin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D014463:Ultrasonography
D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol
Messung der Hautdicke mittels Hochfrequenzultraschall zur Objektivierung einer Hormonersatztherapie in der Perimenopause.