Cardiovascular risk factors in a cohort of Danish women born in 1936 prior to use of hormone therapy.
OBJECTIVE
Many observational studies suggest hormone therapy protects against coronary heart disease in contrast to findings from large randomised clinical trials and an observational Danish study. A potential bias in the observational literature concerning the cardiovascular risk and benefits associated with use of hormone therapy is the so-called 'healthy user' phenomenon, i.e. self-selection to HT use is associated with healthier cardiovascular risk profile. This study investigates whether a random sample of Danish women using HT was characterised by a favourable cardiovascular risk profile prior to menopause.


METHODS
A sample of 621 women born in 1936 living in Copenhagen County was included in a prospective population-based study initiated in 1976 with follow-ups in 1981, 1987 and 1996. Investigations comprised questionnaires and physical examinations.


RESULTS
At 51 and 60 years, respectively, one-third and one-half had ever used HT. At 40 years women who subsequently use HT had lower body mass index, lower self-rated health and lower fasting glucose, but no differences according to blood pressure, cholesterol, triglyceride, physical activity, smoking habits or alcohol consumption.


CONCLUSIONS
In a cohort of Danish women from the general population ever users of HT could not be characterised as unambiguous 'healthy users'.
Løkkegaard
Ellen
E
Juliane Marie Center, Rigshospitalet, Kettegaard Alle 30, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark. ellen.loekkegaard@hh.hosp.dk
Eplov
Lene Falgaard
LF
Køster
Anne
A
Garde
Karin
K
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002784:Cholesterol