Influence of hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia on lipid and glucose metabolism

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is less frequently prescribed to postmenopausal women with diabetes type 2 who have poor lipid status despite well known favorable effect of HRT on lipid levels. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of oral HRT in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia. METHOD: Continuously combined HRT, estradiol 2mg + norethisterone acetate 1mg was given to 30 women with diabetes type 2 and hyperlipidemia and two control groups of postmenopausal women (30 with hyperlipidemia only and 30 healthy women) over a 6-month period. Total cholesterol (t-HOL), triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were evaluated in 3-month intervals. Fasting and postprandial glucose levels were evaluated monthly. RESULTS: HRT significantly decreased levels of t-HOL (X2(Friedman) = 11.712; p<0.01) and LDL-c (X2(Friedman) = 10.403; p<0.01) in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. However, the effect was more pronounced in two control groups. Triglycerides (X2(Friedman) = 5.400; p > or = 0.05) and HDL-c (X2(Friedman) = 1.113; p>0.05) did not change in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. Six month of oral HRT significantly decreased HbAlc (F=44.693; p<0.01). Fasting and postprandial glycemia was decreased but not significantly (X2Friedman=6.527; p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Six-month application of HRT is effective in lowering the lipid levels and HbA1c in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. However, target lipid levels were not achieved.