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Skeletal effects of oral oestrogen compared with subcutaneous oestrogen and testosterone in postmenopausal women

Savvas M, Studd JW, Fogelman I, Dooley M, Montgomery J, Murby B

BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 1988

41 participants

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare oral and implanted oestrogens for their effects in preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis.

DESIGN: Non-randomised cohort study of postmenopausal women treated with oral or depot oestrogens and postmenopausal controls.

SETTING: Gynaecological endocrine clinic in tertiary referral centre.

PATIENTS: Oral treatment group of 37 postmenopausal women (mean age 57.5 years, median 8.75 years from last menstrual period), compared with 41 women given oestrogen implants (mean age 56.2 years, median 9.5 years from last menstrual period) and 36 controls (mean age 51.8 years, median 2.0 years from last menstrual period). Weight was not significantly different among the groups.

INTERVENTIONS: Oral treatment group was given continuous treatment with cyclic oestrogen and progesterone preparations (Prempak C or Cycloprogynova) for a median of 8.0 years. Implant group was given subcutaneous implants of oestradiol 50 mg combined with testosterone 100 mg, on average six monthly for a median of 8.5 years. Controls were not treated.

END POINT: Significant increase in bone density.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Bone density measured by dual beam photon absorptiometry was 1.02 (SD 0.13) g hydroxyapatite/cm2 in implant group versus 0.89 (0.11) in oral group (p less than 0.01) and 0.87 (0.14) in controls (p less than 0.01). Serum oestradiol concentration in implant group was (median) 725 pmol/l versus 170 pmol/l in oral group (p less than 0.01) and 99 pmol/l in controls (p…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 41 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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