The effect of low-dose conjugated equine estrogens and cyclic MPA on bone density.
OBJECTIVE
to compare the effect of 0.3 and 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogens on bone mineral density (BMD) in a private practice setting.


METHODS
postmenopausal women interested in hormone replacement therapy were prescribed either 0.3 or 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogens daily with 10 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate days 1-12 of the month. All women were given calcium citrate 1000 mg/day and vitamin D 400 IU/day. DEXA bone mineral density studies of the spine and hip were performed at baseline and 1 year.


RESULTS
there was no significant difference in BMD at the spine, the trochanter or the femoral neck compared with baseline in either the 0.625 or 0.3 mg group. The mean percent increase in BMD for the 0.3 versus 0.625 mg group was: spine 2.6 versus 3.8%, femoral neck 1.8 versus 1.5%, and trochanter 0.5 versus 2.6%.


CONCLUSIONS
both the 0.625 mg dose and the 0.3 mg dose of conjugated equine estrogens preserved BMD at the spine and hip over one year in early postmenopausal women who were also given cyclic medroxyprogesterone acetate, calcium citrate and vitamin D.
Gass
Margery
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0526, USA. margery.gass@uc.edu
Liu
James
J
Rebar
Robert W
RW
D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D019355:Calcium Citrate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000517:prevention & control; D017698:Postmenopause; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage
D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D014807:Vitamin D; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; D019355:Calcium Citrate