Cochrane corner: oral hormone therapy and cardiovascular outcomes in post-menopausal women

Introduction Hormone therapy (HT) is commonly prescribed for the relief of climacteric symptoms in post-menopausal women; 54% (620490) of women enrolled in the Million Women Study1 in the UK (mean age 56 years) have tried it and 31% (358252) use it. Observational studies have shown oral HT is associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease in post-menopausal women2; however randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have presented mixed results. The 2002 publication of the Women's Health Initiative I (WHI I) reported an association between combined oestrogen and progestin use and increased rates of both coronary heart disease and stroke. Subsequent publication of the Women's Health Initiative II (WHI II) reported an association between oestrogen and increased rates of stroke. These publications, and the significant publicity that they received, led to a reduction in prescriptions of oral HT. It also led to several RCTs assessing...
Source: Heart - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Drugs: cardiovascular system, Cochrane Corner, Acute coronary syndromes, Venous thromboembolism, Epidemiology Editorials Source Type: research