CARDIOVASCULAR RISK-FACTORS DURING SEQUENTIALLY COMBINED 17-BETA ESTRADIOL AND DYDROGESTERONE (FEMOSTON(R)) - RESULTS FROM A ONE-YEAR STUDYIN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Objectives: To assess the effects of Femoston (2 mg micronised 17 beta oestradiol daily, sequentially combined in one tablet with 10 mg dydr ogesterone for 14 days per 28 day cycle) on the serum lipid profile of postmenopausal women. Methods: 188 healthy postmenopausal women with intact uteri (aged 40 to 65 years) were enrolled in an open, multicent re, one-year study. Serum lipids and lipoproteins were measured at bas eline and after 3, 6 and 12 months. Results: A total of 155 women comp leted the one-year study. Mean serum levels of total cholesterol and l ow-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol were significantly reduced (P < 0.01) at all assessments compared with baseline; the reductions obs erved at the final assessment were 5 and 20%, respectively. A signific ant increase of 20% (P < 0.01) was seen in high-density lipoprotein (H DL)-cholesterol levels by month 12. Mean levels of triglycerides were also increased (p < 0.01). Blood pressure and heart rate remained unch anged throughout the Study. Conclusions: The results show that the ove rall effects of Femoston on the serum lipid profile are comparable to those found with oestrogen therapy alone and should reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. (C) 1997 Elsevier Sci ence Ireland Ltd.