Long term effects of oestrogen therapy on bone loss in postmenopausal women: a 23 year prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the long term effect of oestrogen therapy on bone loss after menopause.


METHODS
Prospective observational study over 23 years.


METHODS
Malmö, Sweden.


METHODS
Twenty-eight women taking oestrogen and 196 women not taking oestrogen during the follow up.


METHODS
Bone mineral density of the forearm was measured by single-photon absorptiometry at age 48 and 72 years. Use of oestrogen therapy was noted.


METHODS
Rate of forearm bone loss between the age of 48 and 72 years.


RESULTS
Women taking oestrogen, for a median of 17 years (range 4 to 26), had 8.7 percentage points (95% CI 3.8-13.5) lower rate of bone loss compared with women not taking oestrogen during the same period. Each year of oestrogen therapy reduced the rate of bone loss by 0.8 percentage points (95% CI 0.2-1.4).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of oestrogen seems to reduce the rate of bone loss over a period of 23 years, and the longer the duration of the therapy, the less bone loss.
Ahlborg
Henrik G
HG
Department of Orthopaedics, Malmö University Hospital, Sweden.
Johnell
Olof
O
Karlsson
Magnus K
MK
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004967:Estrogens