Hormone Replacement Therapy May Reduce Diabetes Risk

 

Laurie Barclay, MD

 

Jan. 6, 2003 — Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) reduced the incidence of diabetes by 35% in postmenopausal women with heart disease, according to the results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial reported in the Jan. 7 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. ("Good Journal"-GMR)

 

The Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement (HERS) Study was funded by Wyeth-Ayerst Research. At 20 U.S. clinical centers, 2,763 postmenopausal women with coronary heart disease were followed for 4.1 years.

 

During follow-up, fasting glucose levels increased significantly in the placebo group but not in the group receiving 0.625 mg conjugated estrogen plus 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate (PremPro) daily. The incidence of diabetes, defined by self-report of the disease or its complications, fasting glucose of at least 126 mg/dL, or initiation of glucose-lowering agents, was 6.2% in the PremPro group and 9.5% in the placebo group (relative risk 0.65).

 

"This observation provides important insights into the metabolic effects of postmenopausal hormones." the authors write.

 

The number needed to treat with HRT to prevent one case of diabetes was 30. This effect was independent of change in weight and waist circumference.

 

Ann Intern Med. 2003;138:1-9

 

Reviewed by Gary D. Vogin, MD

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"The Estrogen saga continues... better then 'As the World Turns.'" 

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