Differential effects of raloxifene and continuous combined hormone replacement therapy on biochemical markers of cardiovascular risk: results from the Euralox 1 study

Objective To compare the effects of the selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) raloxifene (Evista®) and a continuous combined hormone replacement therapy (ccHRT) formulation containing estradiol and norethisterone acetate (Kliogest®) on lipid and fibrinogen levels of postmenopausal women. Methods Euralox 1 was a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. After a placebo wash-out, healthy postmenopausal women (n = 1008, average age 56.1 ± 4.9 years) with a health risk profile that suggested a potential benefit from either treatment were randomly assigned to either 60 mg raloxifene or ccHRT consisting of 2 mg estradiol and 1 mg norethisterone acetate (NETA) per day for 6 months. Measurements Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol with its fractions HDL2 and HDL3, the LDL/HDL ratio, triglycerides and fibrinogen were asessed at baseline and after 6 months or on early drop-out. Results Baseline values were comparable between the two grou...