Pazienti normocolesterolemiche e ipercolesterolemiche in menopausa sottoposte a HRT

47 postmenopausal women (spontaneous or surgical) were studied in order to evaluate whether estrogen plus progesterone replacement therapy (HRT) influences plasma lipoproteins levels. 32 subjects served as study group (transdermal or oral therapy) and 15 subjects served as control group. The two groups were followed for 15 months. Fasting plasma total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triglyceride's, apolipoprotein's A-1 and B and lipoprotein(a) were determined. In the hypercholesterolemic (LDL cholesterol > 140 mg/dl) therapy group (15 patients). HRT appeared to be effective in reducing the LDL concentration (p = 0.07). After 15 months, no other significant changes on serum lipoproteins resulted in the 2 groups. In conclusion, HRT appeared to be effective in hypercholesterolemic women and in the maintenance of premenopausal lipid value, levels menopause, in the other patients.