Ginsburg E, Price D, Chertow G, Walsh B, Lazarus JM, Greenberg L, Owen WF
Estrogen replacement therapy for cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women with ESRD
Am Soc Nephrol
J Am Soc Nephrol (abstract) (Sep) 7:1447 1996

In healthy post-menopausal women, low dose estrogen has beneficial effects on lipid abnormalities associated with cardiovascular risk. Many women with ESRD are post-menopausal, and ESRD has its own deleterious effects on lipid metabolism.

This randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study was performed on 10 post-menopausal women with ESRD. Each treatment period was for two months, with a 1 month washout period. Estrogen (2mg po) use resulted in significant increases in HDL, HDL2, and Apo A-I, as well as triglycerides. LDL, VLDL, and Lp(a) were not affected. The authors conclude that the increase in HDL results in a significant reduction in CV risk, and that low dose estrogen is safe and beneficial in this population.

Comment: Improvement of biochemical parameters doesn't always prove that the expected benefit will occur. Clearly, long term studies of estrogen, as well as other anti-lipid agents, are needed in the ESRD population. The long term safety and efficacy of estrogens is of particular interest in ESRD due to their use in treatment of gastrointestinal arteriovenous malformations. (James A. Sondheimer MD, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI)

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Am Soc Nephrol
CRF by organ system : CRF in Women
CRF by organ system : Cardiovascular/Hypertension