Nelson Vergel
Founder, ExcelMale.com
APRIL 8, 2016
Treatment with oral estradiol is linked with lower subclinical atherosclerosis progression when it is started within 6 years after menopause, according to a study involving 643 healthy postmenopausal women.
Participants were divided according to time since menopause, and randomly assigned to receive either oral 17β-estradiol or placebo. Investigators measured carotid-artery intima–media thickness (CIMT) every 6 months. They also assessed coronary atherosclerosis via CT. Among the results after an average of 5 years of follow-up:
• In those who were less than 6 years past menopause, average CIMT increased by 0.0044 mm per year in the estradiol group, vs 0.0078 mm per year in the those receiving placebo.
• Those who were 10 or more years past menopause had similar CIMT progression regardless of what group they were in.
• CT measures of coronary-artery calcium, total stenosis, and plaque did not differ significantly between those taking drug or placebo in either menopause contingent.
Citation: Hodis H, Mack W, Henderson V, et al. Vascular effects of early versus late postmenopausal treatment with estradiol. [Published online ahead of print March 31, 2016]. N Engl J Med. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1505241.
Treatment with oral estradiol is linked with lower subclinical atherosclerosis progression when it is started within 6 years after menopause, according to a study involving 643 healthy postmenopausal women.
Participants were divided according to time since menopause, and randomly assigned to receive either oral 17β-estradiol or placebo. Investigators measured carotid-artery intima–media thickness (CIMT) every 6 months. They also assessed coronary atherosclerosis via CT. Among the results after an average of 5 years of follow-up:
• In those who were less than 6 years past menopause, average CIMT increased by 0.0044 mm per year in the estradiol group, vs 0.0078 mm per year in the those receiving placebo.
• Those who were 10 or more years past menopause had similar CIMT progression regardless of what group they were in.
• CT measures of coronary-artery calcium, total stenosis, and plaque did not differ significantly between those taking drug or placebo in either menopause contingent.
Citation: Hodis H, Mack W, Henderson V, et al. Vascular effects of early versus late postmenopausal treatment with estradiol. [Published online ahead of print March 31, 2016]. N Engl J Med. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1505241.
