[Effects of simvastatin only or in combination with continuous combined hormone replacement therapy on lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic women].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of simvastatin only or combined with continuous transdermal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the serum lipid profile in hypercholesterolaemic women.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 75 women after menopause, ranging in age from 45 to 62. The patients were divided into five groups: group I--women receiving HRT (Systen Sequi, Cilag); group II--HRT + statin (Systen Sequi, Cilag + Zocor, MSD); group III--HRT (Systen Conti, Cilag); group IV--HRT + statin (Systen Conti, Cilag + Zocor, MSD) and group V--statin only (Zocor, MSD). Before and after 3 and 6 months therapy serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) was measured.


RESULTS
The combination of simvastatin + HRT or simvastatin only decreased significantly TC and LDL-C, and increased HDL-C levels at 3 months (groups II, IV and V). A comparative analysis revealed that HRT effect on TC, LDL-C and HDL-C was significantly observed after 6 months (group I and III). TG levels significantly decreased after 6 months of therapy (simvastatin + HRT) in groups II and IV.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of simvastatin and HRT seems to be more effective than simvastatin only in the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia in women.
Dobrzycka
Bozena
B
Zakladu Pielegniarstwa Polozniczo-Ginekologicznego AM, Bialymstoku.
Dobrzycki
Sławomir
S
Lenczewski
Andrzej
A
Terlikowski
Sławomir
S
Kulikowski
Marek
M
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000187:drug effects; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D019821:Simvastatin