Short-term effects of hormone therapy on serum C-reactive protein levels in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tibolone and conjugated equine estrogens (CEEs) plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) (CEE + MPA) on levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disorders, in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
In this prospective randomized study, we randomly assigned 58 healthy postmenopausal women to CEE (0.625 mg/day) plus MPA (2.5 mg/day) (CEE + MPA) or tibolone (2.5 mg/day). The serum levels of CRP at 3 months after starting treatment were compared with baseline values for both therapies.


RESULTS
After 3 months of treatment the median CRP levels increased by 29% in the CEE + MPA group and by 5% in the tibolone group. But, these changes did not have statistical significance (P=0.15, P=0.06, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show that neither tibolone nor CEE + MPA caused significant changes in serum CRP levels in postmenopausal women. The potential impact of hormone therapy on serum CRP levels should be investigated in ongoing clinical trials.
Kiran
Hakan
H
Prof. Dr. M. Turan Cetin Women HeaIth and IVF Center, 100.yil Mah.132.Sk.No:1 CarrefourSA yani, 01104, Adana, Turkey. hakankiran01@yahoo.com
Kiran
Gurkan
G
D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000187:drug effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017698:Postmenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies
D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D009652:Norpregnenes; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; C027385:tibolone