Cytologic aspects of the nasal respiratory epithelium in postmenopausal women treated with hormone therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of hormone therapy (HT) on nasal respiratory epithelium in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Prospective open clinical trial.


METHODS
Outpatient menopausal clinic.


METHODS
One hundred three healthy postmenopausal women, of whom 55 treated with HT, and 48 untreated women (controls).


METHODS
Different regimens of HT by patch, gel, or oral administration.


METHODS
Cytologic changes of nasal, middle and inferior turbinate cells compared with vaginal cytologic findings by using the maturation index.


RESULTS
Hematoxylin-eosin staining for the maturation index confirmed similar trophic cytologic aspects between the nasal respiratory epithelium and vaginal smears in HT-treated women and controls. Women treated with sequential HT or estrogen therapy (ET) showed better trophic characteristics in the nasal cytological samples compared with women treated with continuous combined HT.


CONCLUSIONS
Along with vaginal cells the nasal respiratory epithelium is an estrogen target. The activity of HT in the nasal respiratory epithelium may depend on the type of hormone regimen used.
Caruso
Salvatore
S
Research Group for Sexology, Department of Microbiological Science and Gynecological Science, School of Medicine University of Catania, Italy. scaruso@mbox.unict.it
Roccasalva
Lucia
L
Di Fazio
Enza
E
Sapienza
Gloria
G
Agnello
Carmela
C
Ficarra
Simona
S
Di Mari
Lucia
L
Serra
Agostino
A
D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D017698:Postmenopause; D014621:Vagina / Q000166:cytology; D014626:Vaginal Smears
D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate