PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Postmenopausal”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

The impact of incident vertebral and non-vertebral fragility fractures on health-related quality of life in established postmenopausal osteoporosis: results from the teriparatide randomized, placebo-controlled trial in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To report the combined impact of both vertebral and non-vertebral fractures on decreased health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in postmenopausal women (mean age 70.7) with osteoporosis who participated in a clinical trial to examine the anti-fracture efficacy of teriparatide [rhPTH(1-34)] injection. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 study arms: placebo, 20 micro g or 40 micro g of teriparatide by daily self-injection. All patients received daily calcium (1000 mg) and vitamin D (400-1200 U) supplements. Patients were followed for a median of 21 months. Incident vertebral fractures were assessed by lateral spinal radiograph. Incident non-vertebral fractures were ascertained by patient self-report and verified by a review of radiological reports. HRQOL was assessed at baseline and annually until study termination using the Osteoporosis Assessment Questionnaire (OPAQ), a validated disease-targeted instrument. RESULTS: Of the 365 women in the HRQOL sub-study, 53 had an incident vertebral or non-vertebral fracture during the study period. Compared to women without incident fractures, women who fractured reported significant declines in physical functioning, emotional status, and symptoms (all p < 0.05). Similarly, when analysis was limited to patients with significant loss in HRQOL, patients with incident fracture accounted for a greater proportion of those patients with decreased physical function, emotional status, and increased symptoms (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results confirm and extend previous findings to show that a composite endpoint of incident vertebral and non-vertebral fractures in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis was associated with significant decreases in HRQOL.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

[Relationship of deoxypyridinole excretion with bone density, serum estradiol and years of postmenopause in Mexican postmenopausic women].

Deoxypyridinoline is one of the metabolites produced during bone resorption. Deoxypyridinoline excretion, unlike other markers, is not affected by diet, or the activity level of other tissues. In postmenopausic women, increased excretion of deoxypyridinoline has been associated with increased bone mass loss. The objective of this study was to determine the association of deoxypyridinoline excretion in postmenopausic Mexican women with anthropometric factors, bone mass density, calcium and phosphorous intakes, post menopause years and serum levels of estradiol. The concentration of deoxypyridinoline in 24 h urine was determined utilizing an ELISA technique. An average of 7,27 +/- 5,31 nM Dpd/mM creatinine was found. A negative correlation between deoxypyridinoline and serum estradiol levels (r = -0.37, p = 0.01) was found. Post menopausic years correlated positively (r = .35, p = 0.02) with Dpd. No significant correlation between deoxypyridinoline and anthropometric data, bone mass density, calcium and phosphorous intakes was found. In conclusion, 30% of the subjects of this study had elevated levels of deoxypyridinoline excretion and taking into consideration the negative correlation observed with serum estradiol, this segment of the population could be at risk for accelerated bone loss. Hormone replacement is important for post menopausic women to prevent increased bone loss.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1995

Effects of estrogen or estrogen/progestin regimens on heart disease risk factors in postmenopausal women. The Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestin Interventions (PEPI) Trial. The Writing Group for the PEPI Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess pairwise differences between placebo, unopposed estrogen, and each of three estrogen/progestin regimens on selected heart disease risk factors in healthy postmenopausal women. DESIGN: A 3-year, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 875 healthy postmenopausal women aged 45 to 64 years who had no known contraindication to hormone therapy. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly assigned in equal numbers to the following groups: (1) placebo; (2) conjugated equine estrogen (CEE), 0.625 mg/d; (3) CEE, 0.625 mg/d plus cyclic medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), 10 mg/d for 12 d/mo; (4) CEE, 0.625 mg/d plus consecutive MPA, 2.5 mg/d; or (5) CEE, 0.625 mg/d plus cyclic micronized progesterone (MP), 200 mg/d for 12 d/mo. PRIMARY ENDPOINTS: Four endpoints were chosen to represent four biological systems related to the risk of cardiovascular disease: (1) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), (2) systolic blood pressure, (3) serum insulin, and (4) fibrinogen. ANALYSIS: Analyses presented are by intention to treat. P values for primary endpoints are adjusted for multiple comparisons; 95% confidence intervals around estimated effects were calculated without this adjustment. RESULTS: Mean changes in HDL-C segregated treatment regimens into three statistically distinct groups: (1) placebo (decrease of 0.03 mmol/L [1.2 mg/dL]); (2) MPA regimens (increases of 0.03 to 0.04 mmol/L [1.2 to 1.6 mg/dL]); and (3) CEE with cyclic MP (increase of 0.11 mmol/L [4.1 mg/dL]) and CEE alone (increase of 0.14 mmol/L [5.6 mg/dL]). Active treatments decreased mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (0.37 to 0.46 mmol/L [14.5 to 17.7 mg/dL]) and increased mean triglyceride (0.13 to 0.15 mmol/L [11.4 to 13.7 mg/dL]) compared with placebo. Placebo was associated with a significantly greater increase in mean fibrinogen than any active treatment (0.10 g/L compared with -0.02 to 0.06 g/L); differences among active treatments were not significant. Systolic blood pressure increased and postchallenge insulin levels decreased during the trial, but neither varied significantly by treatment assignment. Compared with other active treatments, unopposed estrogen was associated with a significantly increased risk of adenomatous or atypical hyperplasia (34% vs 1%) and of hysterectomy (6% vs 1%). No other adverse effect differed by treatment assignment or hysterectomy status. CONCLUSIONS: Estrogen alone or in combination with a progestin improves lipoproteins and lowers fibrinogen levels without detectable effects on postchallenge insulin or blood pressure. Unopposed estrogen is the optimal regimen for elevation of HDL-C, but the high rate of endometrial hyperplasia restricts use to women without a uterus. In women with a uterus, CEE with cyclic MP has the most favorable effect on HDL-C and no excess risk of endometrial hyperplasia.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Symptom relief and side effects of postmenopausal hormones: results from the Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestin Interventions Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess pair-wise differences between placebo, estrogen, and each of three estrogen-progestin regimens on selected symptoms. METHODS: This was a 3-year, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 875 postmenopausal women aged 45-64 years at baseline. Participants were assigned randomly to one of five groups: 1) placebo, 2) daily conjugated equine estrogens, 3) conjugated equine estrogens plus cyclical medroxyprogesterone acetate, 4) conjugated equine estrogens plus daily medroxyprogesterone acetate, and 5) conjugated equine estrogens plus cyclical micronized progesterone. Symptoms were self-reported using a checklist at 1 and 3 years. Factor analysis reduced 52 symptoms to a set of six symptom groups. RESULTS: In intention-to-treat analyses at 1 year, each active treatment demonstrated a marked, statistically significant, protective effect against vasomotor symptoms compared with placebo (odds ratios [ORs] 0.17-0.28); there was no additional benefit of estrogen-progestin over estrogen alone. Only progestin-containing regimens were significantly associated with higher levels of breast discomfort (OR 1.92-2.27). Compared with placebo, women randomized to conjugated equine estrogens reported no increase in perceived weight. Those randomized to medroxyprogesterone acetate reported less perceived weight gain (OR 0.61-0.69) than placebo. Anxiety, cognitive, and affective symptoms did not differ by treatment assignment. Analyses restricted to adherent women were not materially different than those using intention-to-treat, except that women adherent to medroxyprogesterone acetate and micronized progesterone regimens reported fewer musculoskeletal symptoms (OR 0.62-0.68). CONCLUSION: These results confirm the usefulness of post-menopausal hormone therapy for hot flashes, show convincingly that estrogen plus progestin causes breast discomfort, and demonstrate little influence of postmenopausal hormones on anxiety, cognition, or affect.

Double-Blind Method↗
PubMed1989

Diet and plasma androgens in postmenopausal vegetarian and omnivorous women and postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

We studied 27 postmenopausal women, 9 vegetarians, 10 omnivores, and 8 apparently healthy women with breast cancer (BC), four times during 1 y. Dietary intakes were recorded and plasma androgens and sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) binding capacity were determined. Androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), free T (FT), and SHBG were higher in omnivores than in vegetarians. In multiple correlation analysis, intakes of protein and fat were positively correlated with A, T, and FT, whereas the intakes of carbohydrate, grain, total fiber, and grain fiber showed the opposite correlations. Protein intake was positively correlated with percentage FT (%FT) and negatively with SHBG. BC patients had a similar pattern to omnivores with even higher levels of A and T (significant compared with vegetarians) and they showed significantly higher FT and lower SHBG than both control groups. We conclude that a Western-type diet in postmenopausal women is associated with high A, T, %FT, FT, and low SHBG and this pattern was apparent in the BC patients.

Androgens↗
PubMed1990

Trabecular and endocortical bone remodeling in postmenopausal osteoporosis: comparison with normal postmenopausal women.

To assess the bone turnover abnormalities which characterize postmenopausal osteoporosis with vertebral fractures (PMOp), a transiliac bone biopsy was performed after double labeling of the mineralizing front with tetracycline in 50 untreated PMOp patients who were compared with 13 healthy age-matched volunteer females. The analysis of bone remodeling and structure parameters demonstrated that PMOp is a disease affecting both the cancellous and the endocortical envelopes and characterized by increased resorption and by a marked decrease in the osteoblastic apposition rate due to a reduced duration of bone formation. This induces a decrease in the width of both individual osteons and trabeculae. In PMOp, the wide spectrum of bone turnover as compared with the controls, associated with the typical bimodal distribution of cancellous osteoid perimeter, allowed us to identify two subsets, one with normal turnover (NT) and one with high turnover (HT) representing 30% of the cases. When compared to NT, HT was characterized by increased osteoclast number, lower bone volume, thinner osteons, increased formation at the tissue-level and markedly decreased duration of formation. In HT the marked decrease in the duration of activity of osteoblasts and the markedly increased number of osteoclasts induced a greater decrease in bone volume, despite the increase of bone formation at the tissue level. These subsets could not be distinguished by any clinical or biochemical parameter except for serum bone gla protein (osteocalcin) which was significantly higher (as a group) in HT than in NT. The underlying cause for these two subsets is unknown.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Associations of alcohol, height, and reproductive factors with serum hormone concentrations in postmenopausal Japanese women. Steroid hormones in Japanese postmenopausal women.

We measured serum levels of estradiol (E2), sex hormone-binding globulin SHBG), progesterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in 61 postmenopausal women drawn from female residents in a community in Japan to evaluate the relationships between these hormone levels and potential breast cancer risk factors. The information on reproductive history, body size, alcohol use, and physical activity was obtained by means of a self-administered questionnaire. There was a significant trend in increasing E2 level with increasing height after taking account of age and body mass index (BMI) (p for trend = 0.04). BMI was inversely associated with SHBG level after controlling age (p for trend = 0.01). Decreasing progesterone with increasing BMI was observed after controlling age and history of hysterectomy (P = 0.05). Alcohol consumption was positively associated with E2 level and there was a strong linear trend after controlling for age, height, and BMI (p for trend = 0.001). Trend for increasing DHEAS with alcohol consumption was also statistically significant after controlling for age and history of hysterectomy (p for trend = 0.01). Reproductive factors as well as physical activity were not related to any of the hormone levels.

Body Height↗
PubMed2002

Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy: effects on normal mammary gland in humans and in a mouse postmenopausal model.

Endogenous estrogen exposure has long been implicated in the causation of breast cancer through a mechanism of epithelial cell proliferation. Whether estrogen, progesterone, or both exhibit mitogenic activity and promote carcinogenesis in the human breast has been the subject of considerable debate. The purpose of this review article is to examine the evidence for the effects of hormone replacement therapy in its various forms on the biology of the postmenopausal breast both in humans and in an animal model, and to identify the gaps in knowledge that research will need to address to further understand this complex issue.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Should we consider an acceptable drinking level specifically for postmenopausal women? Preliminary findings from the postmenopausal health disparities study.

AIMS: There are substantial neuroendocrine differences between postmenopausal (PMP) women and women with cyclic ovarian function; thus there are differences in hormonal responses to 'acceptable' levels of drinking, i.e. 7 total weekly drinks (TWD). The aim is to evaluate whether alcoholic beverage consumption for PMP women should be the same for all women, as is currently the case, or different from that for women with cyclic ovarian function. METHODS: Carefully collected and cross-checked current drinking data in 318 PMP women from a spectrum of racial and ethnic groups have been analysed to determine if a plateau in estradiol (E2) levels at a particular alcohol consumption level other than 7 TWD can be identified as the drinking level above which no additional benefit in E2 levels occurs. RESULTS: Levels of E2 are significantly different among abstainers and among drinkers within all racial and ethnic groups, with the disturbing exception of black PMP women. Although there are significant differences among racial and ethnic groups in the proportions of women who drink, there are no differences in TWD consumed during the previous month. Between < or =5 TWD and < or =6 TWD, a plateau in the correlation of E2 with increasing drinks/week occurs, and the range of the unstandardized multiple regression coefficient +/- the standard error do not overlap between these same two drinking levels (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Consideration should be given to lowering the acceptable level of drinking for PMP women 5 TWD. Additional studies in which sample sizes for each minority racial and ethnic are larger need to be performed in the future.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Meta-analyses of therapies for postmenopausal osteoporosis. IV. Meta-analysis of raloxifene for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: To review the effect of raloxifene on bone density and fractures in postmenopausal women. DATA SOURCE: We searched MEDLINE from 1966 to 2000 and examined citations of relevant articles and the proceedings of international osteoporosis meetings. STUDY SELECTION: We included seven trials that randomized women to raloxifene or placebo, with both groups receiving similar calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and measured bone density for at least one year. DATA EXTRACTION: For each trial, three independent reviewers abstracted the data and assessed the methodological quality using a validated tool. DATA SYNTHESIS: Data from one large dominating trial suggest a reduction in vertebral fractures with a relative risk (RR) of 0.60 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50-0.70, P < 0.01]. The RR of nonvertebral fractures in patients given 60 mg or more of raloxifene in the larger study was 0.92 (95% CI 0.79-1.07, P = 0.27). Raloxifene resulted in positive effects on the percentage change in bone density, which increased over time and was independent of dose. At the final year, point estimates and 95% CIs for the differences in percent change in bone density (95% CI) between raloxifene and placebo groups were 1.33 (95% CI 0.37-2.30) for total body, 2.51 (95% CI 2.21-2.82) for lumbar spine, 2.05 (95% CI 0.71-3.39) for combined forearm, and 2.11 (95% CI 1.68-2.53) for combined hip (P < 0.01 at all four sites). Results were similar across studies, and formal tests of heterogeneity did not approach conventional statistical significance. Raloxifene slightly increased rates of withdrawal from therapy as a result of adverse effects (RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.00-1.33, P = 0.05). The pooled RR was significant for hot flashes 1.46 (95% CI 1.23-1.74, P < 0.01) and nonsignificant for leg cramps 1.64 (95% CI 0.84-3.20, P = 0.15). CONCLUSION: Raloxifene increases bone density, and the effect increases over 2 yr. The data suggest a positive impact of raloxifene on vertebral fractures. There was little effect of raloxifene on nonvertebral fractures.

Female↗
PubMed2002

Meta-analyses of therapies for postmenopausal osteoporosis. VIII: Meta-analysis of the efficacy of vitamin D treatment in preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To review the effect of vitamin D on bone density and fractures in postmenopausal women. DATA SOURCE: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from 1966 to 1999 and examined citations of relevant articles and proceedings of international meetings. We contacted osteoporosis investigators and primary authors to identify additional studies and to obtain unpublished data. STUDY SELECTION: We included 25 trials that randomized women to standard or hydroxylated vitamin D with or without calcium supplementation or a control and measured bone density or fracture incidence for at least 1 yr. DATA EXTRACTION: For each trial, three independent reviewers assessed the methodological quality and abstracted data. DATA SYNTHESIS: Vitamin D reduced the incidence of vertebral fractures [relative risk (RR) 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45-0.88, P < 0.01) and showed a trend toward reduced incidence of nonvertebral fractures (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.57-1.04, P = 0.09). Most patients in the trials that evaluated vertebral fractures received hydroxylated vitamin D, and most patients in the trials that evaluated nonvertebral fractures received standard vitamin D. Hydroxylated vitamin D had a consistently larger impact on bone density than did standard vitamin D. For instance, total body differences in percentage change between hydroxylated vitamin D and control were 2.06 (0.72, 3.40) and 0.40 (-0.25, 1.06) for standard vitamin D. At the lumbar spine and forearm sites, hydroxylated vitamin D doses above 50 microg yield larger effects than lower doses. Vitamin D resulted in an increased risk of discontinuing medication in comparison to control as a result of either symptomatic adverse effects or abnormal laboratory results (RR 1.37, 95% CI 1.01-1.88), an effect that was similar in trials of standard and hydroxylated vitamin D. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D decreases vertebral fractures and may decrease nonvertebral fractures. The available data are uninformative regarding the relative effects of standard and hydroxylated vitamin D.

Female↗
PubMed1998

Effect of postmenopausal hormone therapy on glucose and insulin concentrations. PEPI Investigators. Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestin Interventions.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the long-term impact of four hormone therapy regimens on insulin and glucose concentrations measured during a standard oral glucose tolerance test. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestin Intervention Study was a 3-year placebo-controlled randomized trial to assess effects of four hormone regimens on cardiovascular risk factors. This efficacy analysis describes glucose and insulin concentrations from 788 adherent women at baseline and at 1 and 3 years' postrandomization. RESULTS: When compared with women taking placebo, those taking conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) at 0.625 mg/day with or without a progestational agent had mean fasting insulin levels that were 16.1% lower, mean fasting glucose levels 2.2 mg/dl lower, and mean 2-h glucose levels 6.4 mg/dl higher (each nominal P < 0.05). No significant differences were apparent between women taking CEE only versus the three progestin regimens: medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) at 2.5 mg daily (continuous MPA), MPA at 10 mg on days 1-12 (cyclical MPA), and micronized progesterone (MP) (cyclical) at 200 mg on days 1-12. The impact of hormone therapy on insulin and glucose depended on baseline levels of fasting insulin and 1-h glucose (P < 0.05). However, the treatment effects on carbohydrate metabolism appeared to be consistent across participant subgroups formed by lifestyle, clinical, and demographic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Oral hormone therapy involving 0.625 mg/day of CEE may modestly decrease fasting levels of insulin and glucose. Postchallenge glucose concentrations are increased, however, which may indicate delayed glucose clearance.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1996

Leisure, home, and occupational physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women. The Postmenopausal Estrogens/Progestins Intervention (PEPI) Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between self-reported leisure, home, and occupational physical activity and selected cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestins Intervention Trial was performed in 851 women aged 45 to 64 years. Outcomes were levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin (2 hours after challenge), fibrinogen, systolic blood pressure. Race-stratified models were adjusted for age, smoking, alcohol, and previous noncontraceptive estrogen use. Models were also run with body mass index as an additional covariate. RESULTS: In white women, leisure physical activity was positively associated with levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = .001) and inversely associated with levels of insulin (P = .04) and fibrinogen (P = .02). Compared with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the inactive and light leisure physical activity groups, moderate (P < .001) and heavy (P = .004) leisure activities were associated with higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the heavy leisure physical activity group were significantly higher than those in the moderate group (P = .01). Compared with lesser levels of leisure physical activity, significantly lower mean values of fibrinogen (P = .02) and insulin (P = .01) were associated with the highest-intensity leisure physical activity. Home physical activity was positively related to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (P = .01); relative to lower levels of home physical activity, the heavy home physical activity group demonstrated significantly higher mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The effects of leisure and home physical activities were independent of each other. systolic blood pressure did not vary by leisure, occupational, or home physical activity. CONCLUSION: The unique relationships between type of physical activity and cardiac risk factors underscore the necessity of including multiple domains of activity in epidemiologic studies of epidemiologic studies of physical activity in women.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed2006

Postmenopausal hormone therapy increases use of health services: experience from the Estonian Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy Trial [ISRCTN35338757].

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare utilization of health services and health care costs in a randomized hormone therapy trial. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 1823 healthy postmenopausal women aged 50 to 64 years at the time of sampling were allocated to combined continuous hormone therapy or placebo or no treatment. The analysis was based on routinely collected electronic data in the Estonian Health Insurance Fund database during a follow-up period from 2 to 5 years. RESULTS: In the nonblind subtrial, the number of all health care visits was 10% higher and the number of visits to family practitioners 16% higher per person-year in the hormone therapy arm. Per person-year, the number of vaginal sonograms was 14% and the number of electrocardiograms 19% higher in the nonblind hormone therapy arm. Outpatient health care costs and drug expenses were higher in the nonblind hormone therapy arm. In the blind subtrial, the number of gynecologic operations, vaginal sonograms and total health care costs was higher in the hormone therapy arm. CONCLUSION: Hormone therapy caused additional expenses on health care.

Estonia↗
PubMed1982

Epidemiology of postmenopausal spinal and long bone fractures. A unifying approach to postmenopausal osteoporosis.

The incidence of spontaneous postmenopausal fractures and their relationship to menopausal age and bone mass were determined in a representative sample of 70-year-old Danish women. Two hundred and eighty-five women (1.2% of all women in that age group) were examined by case history, by 125I photon absorptiometry in both forearms (BMC), by metacarpal index (CA/TA), and by lateral radiographs of the spine. Twenty-four per cent of the participants had sustained single fractures, and 20% multiple fractures. Nineteen per cent had fractures of the lower forearm, 5% of the proximal humerus, 4% of the hip, and 5% crush fractures of the spine. These comprise Group I fractures, the most definite expressions of osteoporosis. The remaining other long bone fractures (7%) and spinal wedge fractures (18%) comprise Group II fractures. Group I cases were characterized by an earlier onset of the menopause and a definite decrease in bone mass, as judged from BMC and CA/TA, as compared with the nonfracture group. Group II cases did not display this distinction. Of Group I cases, those with multifractures differed from those with single fractures by having a five-year earlier occurrence of first fracture, a further decrease in bone mass, and a slightly raised serum alkaline phosphatase level. Serum calcium and phosphate levels were the same in all groups.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1999

Effect of hormone replacement therapy on the validity of the Friedewald equation in postmenopausal women: the postmenopausal estrogen/progestins interventions (PEPI) trial.

The Friedewald equation is often used to estimate low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Hormone therapy is known to raise triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and alter lipid contents of lipoproteins. We compared Friedewald estimated LDL-C to measured LDL-C in PEPI participants on placebo or four different hormone treatment groups. At baseline, the 0.2 coefficient for triglyceride (TG) was accurate for all five treatment groups. Among women who took >80% of their pills and whose TG was <4.5 mmol/l (400 mg/dl), LDL-C was underestimated for 69-82% of the participants in the active treatment groups, compared to 50% in the placebo group. After 3 years of therapy, the TG coefficient that offered a better fit of the Friedewald equation in the active treatment groups was 0.39 for the equation in mmol/l (0.17 for the equation in mg/dl). Using this coefficient is clearly warranted for greater accuracy in research studies.

Algorithms↗