Effects of E2 and E2/norgestimate hormone therapy on elevated baseline lipids.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate lipid effects of estradiol/ norgestimate hormone therapy in postmenopausal women with elevated lipid levels.


METHODS
Postmenopausal women were randomized to E2, 1 mg/intermittent norgestimate (NGM) 90 microg (n = 31), or opposed E2, 1 mg (n = 36), in a 12-month trial. A subset analysis was conducted on participants with unfavorable baseline lipid levels, either total cholesterol (TC) levels > 200 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels < 40 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels > or = 160 mg/dL or triglyceride levels > or = 150 mg/dL. Mean changes and categorical shifts were assessed on fasting blood samples collected at baseline and at 7 and 12 months.


RESULTS
Twelve-month mean changes from baseline in women treated with E2/NGM included a 19.8% increase in HDL-C and decreases of 13.4% in LDL-C, 17.5% in triglycerides and 3.3% in TC. Women with poorer lipid profiles at baseline showed the greatest benefit. Results were similar in women randomized to unopposed E2.


CONCLUSIONS
E2/NGM and unopposed E2 were similarly beneficial in modifying lipid fractions in women with unfavorable baseline levels.
Langer
Robert D
RD
Center for Health Research and Rural Advocacy, Geisinger Health System, 100 North Academy Avenue, MC 30-03, Danville, PA 17822, USA. rdlanger@geisinger.edu
Friedman
Andrew J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004958:Estradiol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D014280:Triglycerides; D009644:Norgestrel; D004958:Estradiol; D002784:Cholesterol; C017576:norgestimate