Arterial stiffness is not improved in long-term use of estrogen.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare arterial stiffness in long-term users of estrogen who were postmenopausal, age-matched women who did not use estrogen, and women of fertile age.


METHODS
In this clinical cross-sectional study, carotid, femoral, and aortic stiffness (estimated as elastic modulus and stiffness beta index) were assessed by ultrasonic phase-locked echo-tracking in 17 women who were postmenopausal and who were treated with 17 beta-estradiol implants (mean age, 68.8 years; mean duration of treatment, 20 years), 17 age-matched (+/-1 year) untreated women, and 20 women in the fertile age period.


RESULTS
Compared with women of fertile age, both postmenopausal groups had significantly higher stiffness elastic modulus and stiffness beta index (carotid, P <.001; femoral, P <.05; aorta, P <.001). However, for all 3 arteries, both stiffness indices were similar in estrogen users and nonusers and did not differ significantly. These results remained after an adjustment for systolic blood pressure, body mass index, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that the arterial stiffening that is related to aging/menopause is not substantially affected by long-term estrogen therapy.
Rodriguez-Macias
Kenny A
KA
Departments of Women's and Children's Health, Section for Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Naessen
Tord
T
Boström
Annika
A
Bergqvist
David
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004548:Elasticity / Q000187:drug effects; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology
D004967:Estrogens