Back to Search
Start Over
Superior compliance and efficacy of continuous combined oral estrogen-progestogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women.
- Source :
-
American journal of obstetrics and gynecology [Am J Obstet Gynecol] 1995 Nov; Vol. 173 (5), pp. 1446-51. - Publication Year :
- 1995
-
Abstract
- Objective: We assessed compliance, relief of climacteric symptoms, and impact on lumbar bone mineral density in two groups of 140 patients treated with a sequential estrogen-progestogen or a continuous combined replacement therapy in comparison with controls.<br />Study Design: Patients were randomized to 2 mg of estradiol valerate daily and 5 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate daily for 12 days per month sequentially to induce withdrawal bleeding (group A) or 2 mg of estradiol, 1 mg of estriol, and 1 mg of norethisterone acetate daily continuously to maintain amenorrhea (group B) or a control group (group C).<br />Results: Compliance was 93% after 1 year and 73% after 2 years in group B and 66% and 49% in group A after 1 and 2 years, respectively. Improvement of climacteric symptoms was similar in groups A and B. Uterine bleeding in 24% of patients in group A and 3% in group B was the most frequent reason for discontinuation of drug intake. Only continuous combined therapy (group B) increased bone mineral density after 1 and 2 years compared with baseline: +13% and 17% (p = 0.01). In groups A and C no significant changes in bone mineral density were recorded. Compliance was unrelated to the age of menopause.<br />Conclusion: Continuous combined therapy is superior to sequential estrogen progestogen replacement in compliance and prevention of bone loss but not with regard to relief of climacteric symptoms.
- Subjects :
- Analysis of Variance
Drug Administration Schedule
Estradiol blood
Estradiol therapeutic use
Female
Follicle Stimulating Hormone blood
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Middle Aged
Patient Compliance
Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin analysis
Time Factors
Bone Density
Climacteric
Estradiol analogs & derivatives
Estriol therapeutic use
Estrogen Replacement Therapy
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate therapeutic use
Norethindrone therapeutic use
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0002-9378
- Volume :
- 173
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 7503183
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9378(95)90631-2