Effects of estradiol-drospirenone hormone treatment on carotid artery intima-media thickness and vertigo/dizziness in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of Angeliq on hormonal, metabolic, biochemical and cardiovascular profile, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and vertigo/dizziness symptoms in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Angeliq is a drug used for hormone replacement therapy that composed of drospirenone 2 mg and estradiol 1 mg. Thirty-two postmenopausal women were recruited for the study. All women were evaluated using personal interview, medical examination and carotid artery ultrasound. They were questioned specifically about vertigo/dizziness experienced. Participants were randomly submitted to oral daily treatment with Angeliq. The duration of the study was 6 months and the participants were studied in basal condition and after 6 months of the therapy.


RESULTS
Follicle-stimulating hormone was significantly higher and estradiol was significantly lower in before therapy (BT) than in after therapy (AT) (p < 0.001). No differences in fasting glucose, CRP and WBC values, and lipid-lipoprotein profile were detected between the groups. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rate were also significantly higher in BT than in AT (p < 0.05). A significant (p < 0.001) difference in CIMT (0.51 ± 0.04 vs. 0.49 ± 0.03 mm) was found between BT and AT. Seven of 32 patients (22%) had vertigo/dizziness symptoms before treatment. After 6 months, none of the patients showed complaints of vertigo/dizziness.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral daily treatment with Angeliq reduces CIMT and climacteric complaints including vertigo/dizziness in postmenopausal women. They may relate to anti-androgenic and anti-mineralocorticoid effects of Angeliq, respectively.
Coksuer
Hakan
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, Dumlupınar University, Central Campus, 43270 Kutahya, Turkey. coksuer@gmail.com
Koplay
Mustafa
M
Oghan
Fatih
F
Coksuer
Cengiz
C
Keskin
Nadi
N
Ozveren
Olcay
O
D000736:Androstenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000187:drug effects*; D004244:Dizziness / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000187:drug effects; D014717:Vertigo / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000736:Androstenes; D004338:Drug Combinations; C488382:estradiol-drospirenone combination; D004958:Estradiol