Effects of estradiol-drospirenone hormone treatment on carotid artery intima-media thickness and vertigo/dizziness in postmenopausal women.

Abstract

AIM:

To investigate the effects of Angeliq on hormonal, metabolic, biochemical and cardiovascular profile, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and vertigo/dizziness symptoms in postmenopausal women.

METHODS:

Angeliq is a drug used for hormone replacement therapy that composed of drospirenone 2 mg and estradiol 1 mg. Thirty-two postmenopausal women were recruited for the study. All women were evaluated using personal interview, medical examination and carotid artery ultrasound. They were questioned specifically about vertigo/dizziness experienced. Participants were randomly submitted to oral daily treatment with Angeliq. The duration of the study was 6 months and the participants were studied in basal condition and after 6 months of the therapy.

RESULTS:

Follicle-stimulating hormone was significantly higher and estradiol was significantly lower in before therapy (BT) than in after therapy (AT) (p < 0.001). No differences in fasting glucose, CRP and WBC values, and lipid-lipoprotein profile were detected between the groups. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rate were also significantly higher in BT than in AT (p < 0.05). A significant (p < 0.001) difference in CIMT (0.51 ± 0.04 vs. 0.49 ± 0.03 mm) was found between BT and AT. Seven of 32 patients (22%) had vertigo/dizziness symptoms before treatment. After 6 months, none of the patients showed complaints of vertigo/dizziness.

CONCLUSIONS:

Oral daily treatment with Angeliq reduces CIMT and climacteric complaints including vertigo/dizziness in postmenopausal women. They may relate to anti-androgenic and anti-mineralocorticoid effects of Angeliq, respectively.

• Authors: Hakan Coksuer, Mustafa Koplay, Fatih Oghan, Cengiz Coksuer, Nadi Keskin, Olcay Ozveren
• Journal: Archives of gynecology and obstetrics (Arch Gynecol Obstet) Vol. 283 Issue 5 Pg. 1045-51 (May 2011) ISSN: 1432-0711 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 20443014 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Androstenes
• Drug Combinations
• estradiol-drospirenone combination
• Estradiol

Topics

• Androstenes (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Carotid Arteries (drug effects)
• Dizziness (drug therapy)
• Drug Combinations
• Estradiol (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Estrogen Replacement Therapy
• Female
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Tunica Intima (drug effects)
• Vertigo (drug therapy)