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Thromb Haemost 1999; 81(06): 925-928
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1614600
Letters to the Editor
Schattauer GmbH

Increased C-reactive Protein Levels during Short-term Hormone Replacement Therapy in Healthy Postmenopausal Women

Marchien W. van Baal
1   From the Project “Ageing Women” and the Institute for Cardiovascular Research-Vrije Universiteit (ICAR-VU), Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leiden, The Netherlands
,
Peter Kenemans
1   From the Project “Ageing Women” and the Institute for Cardiovascular Research-Vrije Universiteit (ICAR-VU), Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leiden, The Netherlands
,
Marius J. van der Mooren
1   From the Project “Ageing Women” and the Institute for Cardiovascular Research-Vrije Universiteit (ICAR-VU), Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leiden, The Netherlands
,
Hilda Kessel
1   From the Project “Ageing Women” and the Institute for Cardiovascular Research-Vrije Universiteit (ICAR-VU), Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leiden, The Netherlands
,
Jef J. Emeis
3   Gaubius Laboratory, TNO-Prevention and Health, Leiden, The Netherlands
,
Coen D. A. Stehouwer
2   Internal Medicine, University Hospital Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, and Leiden, The Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 18 November 1998

Accepted after resubmission 11 March 1999

Publication Date:
09 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Objective: To study the short-term effect of unopposed oestradiol (E2) and sequentially combined hormone replacement therapy (E2 + P) on C-reactive protein (CRP) in healthy postmenopausal women. Design: Prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled 12-week study. Sixty healthy, normotensive, non-hysterectomised postmenopausal women received either placebo (N = 16) or daily 2 mg micronised oestradiol, either unopposed (N = 16, E2 group) or sequentially combined with a progestagen on 14 days of each cycle (N = 28, E2+P group). Data were collected at baseline and at 4 and 12 weeks. Results: CRP levels increased significantly during the 12 weeks in the E2 and the E2+P groups compared to placebo. No differences were found between the E2 group and the E2+P group [E2 and E2+P group together (N = 44) versus placebo: P = 0.01; E2 versus E2+P: P = 0.75]. To give a quantitative estimate of the increase, the median change calculated from baseline in both treatment groups together was +87% (P = 0.02) at 4 weeks, and +114% (P = 0.08) at 12 weeks, as compared to the placebo group. Conclusion: In healthy postmenopausal women, short-term treatment with E2 or E2+P was associated with a rapid rise in CRP concentrations. These observations raise the possibility that the increased risk of cardiovascular events is related to an initial increase in CRP levels after starting hormone replacement therapy.

 

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