J Korean Soc Endocrinol.  2006 Feb;21(1):14-21. 10.3803/jkes.2006.21.1.14.

The Effect of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Healthy Postmenopausal Women

• Shin JY
• Cha BS
• Chung CH
• Shim WH
• Lee HC

• KMID: 2200653
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3803/jkes.2006.21.1.14

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in postmenopausal women. The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) preventing for cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women remains controversial. We investigated the effect of HRT on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) according to the HRT duration in healthy postmenopausal women.
METHODS
One hundred and twenty postmenopausal women (mean age: 55.4 +/- 3.3 years) were classified into never users, short-term, and long-term users according to the HRT duration. Carotid IMT was measured, and the clinical and biochemical cardiovascular risk factors were examined.
RESULTS
The mean IMT was significantly thinner in the long-term users than that in the never users (0.62 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.71 +/- 0.14 mm, P < 0.01). Also, the maximal IMT was significantly thinner in the short-term and the long-term users. However, there is no significant difference in the mean and maximal IMTs between the estrogen alone and estrogen plus progestins used group. The period exposed to menopause was significantly shorter in the long-term users than that in the never users (1.8 +/- 2.3 vs. 4.3 +/- 3.3 years, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that if HRT is initiated during early postmenopausal period before the onset of atherosclerosis, HRT may have a beneficial effect on the prevention of carotid atherosclerosis.

MeSH Terms

Atherosclerosis
Cardiovascular Diseases
Carotid Artery Diseases
Carotid Intima-Media Thickness*
Cause of Death
Estrogens
Female
Hormone Replacement Therapy*
Humans
Menopause
Postmenopause
Progestins
Risk Factors
Estrogens
Progestins

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