The Journal of Korean Society of Menopause  2010;16(1):16-22

The Association between Serum Estradiol Level and Coronary Artery Calcification in Postmenopausal Women: A Preliminary Report.

Gyun Ho JEON 1 ; Sung Hoon KIM ; So Ra KIM ; Hee Dong CHAE ; Chung Hoon KIM ; Byung Moon KANG

Affiliations

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Keywords

Estradiol; Coronary artery calcification; Postmenopause; Hormone therapy

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To estimate whether coronary artery calcification in postmenopausal women is associated with serum estradiol level. METHODS: The present study retrospectively examined the clinical records of 162 postmenopausal women who visited the Health Promotion Center for a routine checkup and underwent a multidetector CT scan of the heart. Serum estradiol level, coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors, current hormone therapy status, and BMD of the lumbar vertebrae and femoral neck were analyzed in women with coronary artery calcium score (CACS) > or = 100 and < 100. RESULTS: Compared to women with higher CACS (> or = 100), women with lower CACS (< 100) had a significantly higher level of serum estradiol (27.34 +/- 2.96 vs. 13.31 +/- 1.10 pg/ml, P = 0.030) and lower mean age (57.63 +/- 0.44 vs. 61.88 +/- 1.90, P = 0.037). Women with CACS < 100 were significantly more likely to have a serum estradiol level greater than 20 pg/ml (42.25 vs. 0 %, P = 0.022) and lower prevalence of hypertension (28.17 vs. 62.50%, P = 0.053, borderline significant). However, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that any factors did not have a significant association with CACS except hypertension (OR 5.831 [95% CI 1.035 to 32.85], P = 0.046). CONCLUSION: Serum estradiol level might be associated with the degree of calcification of coronary artery in postmenopausal women.