Effectiveness and safety of raloxifene in post-menopausal females.
OBJECTIVE
To determine effects of raloxifene on lipid profile, breast tissue and endometrial thickness in post-menopausal women.


METHODS
A longitudinal cohort study.


METHODS
The study was conducted at Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, PNS Shifa Hospital, Karachi over a period of one year.


METHODS
Fifty cases of postmenopausal women, aged 45-60 years, who had last menstrual period 2-8 years back, visiting Gynea OPD at PNS Shifa Hospital, Karachi, were included in the study. The subject received raloxifene (Evista) 60 mg once daily. The tests done at the start of study as baseline were serum lipid profile (HDL, LDL, total triglyceride and cholesterol levels), TVS (trans vaginal sonography) for endometrial thickness and mammography. The above tests were again done at the end of study after 12 months. The adverse effects were recorded.


RESULTS
Fifty women were enrolled for study out of which 48 completed the study that is 96%. Mean age was 54 years, SD = 3.95. The mean value of LDL, total triglyceride and cholesterol decreased by 15.2%, 1.2% and 10.2 % respectively. The change was statistically significant. (p < 0.001) HDL change was 0.665% and was not statistically significant. TVS, for endometrial thickness, and mammography for breast density showed no change. Adverse effects reported were hot flushes, leg cramps and vaginal symptoms in few cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Raloxifene therapy significantly decreases cardiovascular risk markers LDL, total triglyceride and cholesterol. No abnormal change in breast density and in endometrial thickness indicate good safety profile of this agent.
Abdullah
Khalida Nasreen
KN
Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Combined Military Hospital, Multan.
Raoof
Ali
A
Raoof
Mustafa
M
D001940:Breast / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004717:Endometrium / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology*
D008055:Lipids; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride