The Effects of Menopausal Hormone Therapy on Serum Level of C-reactive Protein in Postmenopausal Korean Women
- Author:
Whan SHIN
1
;
Sung Eun KIM
;
Jee Yeon LEE
;
Jong Wook SEO
;
Hye Sun HYUN
;
Ji Hyun SUH
;
DooSeok CHOI
;
Byung Koo YOON
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: C-reactive protein; Hormone replacement therapy; Progesterone; Postmenopause; Drug administration routes
- MeSH: Body Mass Index; C-Reactive Protein; Cohort Studies; Coronary Disease; Drug Administration Routes; Estradiol; Estrogens; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Humans; Inflammation; Menopause; Postmenopause; Progesterone; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Uterus
- From:Journal of Menopausal Medicine 2019;25(1):49-54
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Inflammation is a major mechanism underlying coronary heart disease (CHD) and C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation. When administered soon after menopause, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) prevents CHD. This study was conducted to examine the impact of estrogen by administration route on CRP in postmenopausal Korean women using micronized progesterone (MP4) for endometrial protection. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 129 healthy women without CHD risk factors. Eighty-nine women took oral estrogen (conjugated equine estrogen, 0.625 mg/day or equivalent), and 40 women applied a 1.5-mg/day 0.1% percutaneous estradiol gel. MP4 was added in 82 women with an intact uterus. The CRP level was measured at baseline and three and six months after initiation of MHT. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics were comparable between the MHT groups except current age and age at menopause. After controlling for age, menopausal age, body mass index, and basal CRP, no significant change in CRP was observed in the oral estrogen group (n = 29). Follow-up CRP levels were also similar to the baseline in the percutaneous estrogen group (n = 18). However, three-month CRP was significantly lower than six-month CRP, and there was a significant time trend within the percutaneous estrogen group. However, the group difference did not reach statistical significance. CRP also did not differ by addition of MP4 in either group. CONCLUSIONS: In postmenopausal Korean women, no change in CRP was observed with oral estrogen, while percutaneous estrogen might decrease CRP. The estrogenic impacts were not influenced by adding MP4.
