Effects of short-term transdermal hormone replacement therapy on glycaemic control, lipid metabolism, C-reactive protein and proteinuria in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes or hypertension.
BACKGROUND
The study was carried out to evaluate the effects of short-term transdermal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on glycaemic control, lipid metabolism, C-reactive protein (CRP) and proteinuria in high-risk postmenopausal women.


METHODS
A total of 20 well-controlled type 2 diabetic, hypertensive and 21 well-controlled glucose-tolerant, hypertensive postmenopausal women were prospectively enrolled. After 12 weeks of transdermal HRT, the changes in serum lipid sub-fractions, fasting glucose, fructosamine, glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)), CRP, creatinine, 24 h urine protein levels, creatinine clearance and blood pressure were evaluated.


RESULTS
After 12 weeks of treatment, serum total-cholesterol and low-density cholesterols (LDL-cholesterol) appeared slightly reduced and serum triglyceride slightly elevated, although non-significantly so in both groups. The increase in HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.05) and reduction in very low density (VLDL)-cholesterol (P < 0.05) levels were significant in hypertensive patients. Elevation in the Apolipoprotein A1 (P < 0.05) and reduction in the Apolipoprotein B (P < 0.05) levels were statistically significant in all patients. HRT was associated with significant decreases in serum fasting glucose (P < 0.05) and fructosamine (P < 0.05) levels in diabetic patients. Serum HbA(1c), CRP, creatinine, 24 h urine protein levels, creatinine clearance and systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not change significantly in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
There were no detrimental effects of transdermal HRT on lipid profile, glucose metabolism, CRP and urine protein levels in our well-controlled diabetic or hypertensive patients. A decision regarding HRT use should be taken on a case-by-case basis.
Fenkci
Semin
S
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Pamukkale University, 20100 Denizli, Turkey. sfenkci@yahoo.com
Fenkci
Veysel
V
Yilmazer
Mehmet
M
Serteser
Mustafa
M
Koken
Tulay
T
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000652:urine; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000652:urine; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000652:urine*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002097:C-Reactive Protein