Effects of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy on HbA(1c) levels.
OBJECTIVE
Estrogen seems to contribute to glucose homeostasis in women. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on HbA(1c) levels in Japanese postmenopausal women and to determine whether the effects varied with age.


METHODS
We studied 99 postmenopausal women taking HRT (mean +/- SD age 56.5 +/- 6.9 years, BMI 21.5 +/- 2.3 kg/m(2)) and 101 postmenopausal women not on HRT (51.4 +/- 6.1 years, 21.3 +/- 2.4 kg/m(2)). HRT consisted of continuous conjugated equine estrogen (CEE; 0.625 mg/day) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA; 2.5 mg/day) for >2 years.


RESULTS
HbA(1c) levels are positively associated with age and BMI in women who use HRT as well as in those who do not use HRT. After adjusting for age and BMI, HRT showed no effects on HbA(1c) levels. However, HbA(1c) levels were significantly lower in postmenopausal women aged 40-49 years who were taking HRT than in women of similar age who were not taking HRT (mean +/- SE 4.776 +/- 0.092 vs. 5.096 +/- 0.078%, P < 0.05). No differences in HbA(1c) levels between women who did and did not use HRT were observed in those older than 50 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral HRT involving CEE combined with MPA may decrease HbA(1c) levels in women aged 40-49 years and is likely to have no adverse effects on HbA(1c) levels in women older than 50 years.
Okada
Mayumi
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
Nomura
Seiji
S
Ikoma
Yoko
Y
Yamamoto
Eiko
E
Ito
Tomomi
T
Mitsui
Takashi
T
Tamakoshi
Koji
K
Mizutani
Shigehiko
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002784:Cholesterol; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D014280:Triglycerides