Hormone therapy for preventing cardiovascular disease in post-menopausal women

First, do no harm: Critically revisiting contemporary approaches to child sexual abuse prevention

Crime prevention is typically presented in a tripartite model that includes primary, secondary, and tertiary domains. Almost every criminal justice intervention constitutes tertiary prevention and occurs reactively, in the aftermath of an offence. Child sexual abuse is no exception, and prevention science has long recommended we focus our intervention efforts further upstream. Such an approach would include earlier detection and disclosure (secondary prevention), or-even better-reducing the risks of early exposure to the environmental forces which facilitate sexual abuse in the first place (primary prevention). What is missing from the field, however, is a coherent framework through which to critique the unintended consequences of our well-intentioned responses to child sexual abuse. Such consequences include secondary trauma for victim survivors and vicarious trauma for families and practitioners. In this article, we reflect on prevention from a critical perspective that centres the principle of "first, do no harm." In doing so, we introduce the notion of 'quaternary prevention' for child sexual abuse. Public health has long recognised the risks of medicalisation, overdiagnosis, and unnecessary intervention. We encourage our field to engage within a framework of quaternary prevention to consider the iatrogenic effects of many contemporary practices and to take seriously the "do no harm" principle to improve practice across all levels of prevention.

Primary Prevention of Coronary and Other Cardiovascular Diseases: A Focused Review

In 2022, the Japan Atherosclerosis Society (JAS) updated its prevention guidelines, the "Japan Atherosclerosis Society (JAS) Guidelines for Prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases 2022" (JAS2022GL), expanding its scope from coronary artery disease (CAD) to atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs), including atherothrombotic stroke. The following year, the Japanese Circulation Society (JCS) updated its guidelines for primary prevention entitled "JCS 2023 Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease" (JCS2023GL). Since those publications, scientific advancements in relevant fields have continued. This review article outlines the current recommendations provided by the guidelines, provides background information supporting these recommendations, introduces scientific findings subsequent to prior publications, and discusses future directions on select topics for the primary prevention of CVD. The topics covered in this review are traditional risk factors, including dyslipidemia and hypertension, the application of comprehensive risk stratification or risk scoring systems, patient-specific topics, salt and alcohol, and environmental factors. These topics were deliberate and selected by the authors, who were involved in the compilation of either or both JAS2022GL and JCS2023GL. This review not only emphasizes the pivotal role of continuously updated guidelines in shaping clinical practice but also stresses the urgent need for ongoing research to bridge existing knowledge and practice gaps.

Epigenetic mechanisms regulate sex differences in cardiac reparative functions of bone marrow progenitor cells

Historically, a lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and related deaths in women as compared with men of the same age has been attributed to female sex hormones, particularly estrogen and its receptors. Autologous bone marrow stem cell (BMSC) clinical trials for cardiac cell therapy overwhelmingly included male patients. However, meta-analysis data from these trials suggest a better functional outcome in postmenopausal women as compared with aged-matched men. Mechanisms governing sex-specific cardiac reparative activity in BMSCs, with and without the influence of sex hormones, remain unexplored. To discover these mechanisms, Male (M), female (F), and ovariectomized female (OVX) mice-derived EPCs were subjected to a series of molecular and epigenetic analyses followed by in vivo functional assessments of cardiac repair. F-EPCs and OVX EPCs show a lower inflammatory profile and promote enhanced cardiac reparative activity after intra-cardiac injections in a male mouse model of myocardial infarction (MI). Epigenetic sequencing revealed a marked difference in the occupancy of the gene repressive H3K9me3 mark, particularly at transcription start sites of key angiogenic and proinflammatory genes in M-EPCs compared with F-EPCs and OVX-EPCs. Our study unveiled that functional sex differences in EPCs are, in part, mediated by differential epigenetic regulation of the proinflammatory and anti-angiogenic gene CCL3, orchestrated by the control of H3K9me3 by histone methyltransferase, G9a/Ehmt2. Our research highlights the importance of considering the sex of donor cells for progenitor-based tissue repair.

Estrogen receptor activation remodels TEAD1 gene expression to alleviate hepatic steatosis

Sex-based differences in obesity-related hepatic malignancies suggest the protective roles of estrogen. Using a preclinical model, we dissected estrogen receptor (ER) isoform-driven molecular responses in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced liver diseases of male and female mice treated with or without an estrogen agonist by integrating liver multi-omics data. We found that selective ER activation recovers HFD-induced molecular and physiological liver phenotypes. HFD and systemic ER activation altered core liver pathways, beyond lipid metabolism, that are consistent between mice and primates. By including patient cohort data, we uncovered that ER-regulated enhancers govern central regulatory and metabolic genes with clinical significance in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) patients, including the transcription factor TEAD1. TEAD1 expression increased in MASLD patients, and its downregulation by short interfering RNA reduced intracellular lipid content. Subsequent TEAD small molecule inhibition improved steatosis in primary human hepatocyte spheroids by suppressing lipogenic pathways. Thus, TEAD1 emerged as a new therapeutic candidate whose inhibition ameliorates hepatic steatosis.

The menopausal transition period and cardiovascular risk

The menopausal transition period spans, on average, 2-8 years before the final menstrual period and is associated with an increase in clinical and subclinical cardiovascular risk. In this Review, we discuss the metabolic and cardiovascular changes that occur during the menopausal transition period and the role of ovarian ageing, chronological ageing and other ageing-related risk factors in mediating these changes. Disentangling the relative contributions of chronological and reproductive ageing to cardiovascular risk is challenging, but data from longitudinal studies in women transitioning from premenopause to post-menopause have provided valuable insights. We also discuss evidence on how cardiovascular risk is altered by premature or early menopause, surgical menopause, and vasomotor and other menopausal symptoms. Whether targeted interventions can slow the progression of atherosclerosis and subclinical disease during the menopausal transition, thus delaying or preventing the onset of cardiovascular events, remains to be determined. Furthermore, we consider the recommended strategies for cardiovascular risk reduction in women undergoing menopausal transition using the framework of the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 key measures for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health, and discuss the cardiovascular risks and benefits of menopausal hormone therapy. Finally, we also discuss novel therapies that might benefit this population in reducing cardiovascular risk.

Pregnancy-associated risk factors for future cardiovascular disease - early prevention strategies warranted

We summarize convincing evidence that future cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk increases one-fold to four-fold for women with a history of pregnancy complicated by hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, fetal growth restriction, placental abruption and preterm birth. A concomitant occurrence of two or more complications in the same pregnancy further potentiates the risk. These women should be informed of their future CVD risks during the postpartum check-up taking place after delivery, and also, if needed, treated, for example, for persisting high blood pressure. In these women with high blood pressure, check-up should take place within 7-10 days, and if severe hypertension, within 72 h. Women without diagnostic signs and symptoms should be examined for the first time 1-2 years postpartum and then at intervals of 2-3 years for a complete CVD risk profile including clinical and laboratory assessments. Women should be informed for future CVD risks and their effective prevention with healthy lifestyle factors. Combined oral contraceptives should be avoided or used with caution. If laboratory or other clinical findings indicate, then vigorous treatments consisting of non-medical and medical (antihypertensives, statins, antidiabetic and anti-obesity therapies) interventions should be initiated early with liberal indications and with ambitious therapeutic goals. Low-dose aspirin and menopausal hormone therapy should be used in selected cases. Active control and treatment policies of these women with pregnancy-related risks will likely result in decreases of CVD occurrence in later life.

Use of MHT in women with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review assesses the effect of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on cardiovascular outcomes and risk factors in postmenopausal women with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to December 2022 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies using methodology from a previous Cochrane review. Quality assessment used the Cochrane risk of bias tool and Newcastle-Ottawa scale, respectively. From 5647 studies identified, 29 (23 RCTs and six observational studies) were included. Most studies were conducted in North America or Europe and investigated oral estrogens. Participants were older with varying frequency of cardiac risk factors and underlying CVD. No significant difference was observed between MHT users and controls regarding primary outcomes of non-fatal myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death or stroke. No difference in frequency of angina, heart failure and transient ischemic attacks was observed. Inconsistent effects of MHT on angiographic progression were seen and varied with glycemic status. Estradiol had a positive effect on flow-mediated dilatation. Limited studies identified differing effects of MHT on cardiac risk factors, varying with estrogen preparation. This study confirms no benefit of MHT for secondary CVD prevention, highlighting evidence limitations and the importance of shared decision-making when managing menopausal symptoms in women with CVD.

Menopausal hormone therapy and coronary heart disease: the roller-coaster history

In the USA it is estimated that more than one million women become menopausal each year. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of mortality in menopausal woman globally. The majority of perimenopausal to postmenopausal women experience bothersome symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, mood liability, sleep disturbances, irregular bleeding and sexual dysfunction. While menopausal hormone therapy (HT) effectively treats most of these symptoms, use of HT has become confusing, especially related to CHD risk. Despite years of observational and retrospective studies supporting a CHD benefit and improved survival among HT users, the Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study (HERS) and the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) raised doubts about this long-held premise. The timing hypothesis has since emerged and states that when HT is initiated in younger women, soon after menopause onset, there may be cardiovascular benefit. The following review discusses the roller-coaster history of HT use as it pertains to CHD in postmenopausal women. Studies that highlight HT's CHD benefit are reviewed and provide reassurance that HT utilized in appropriately selected younger postmenopausal women close to the onset of menopause is safe from a cardiovascular perspective, in line with consensus recommendations.

Beyond hot flashes: Exploring the role of estrogen therapy in postmenopausal women for myocardial infarction prevention and recovery

Myocardial infarction (MI) commonly known as "heart attack" results from the blockage of blood flow to the heart. Postmenopausal women face an elevated risk of MI due to declining estrogen levels, a hormone pivotal in maintaining cardiovascular health. It promotes vasodilation, reduce inflammation, and improves lipid profiles. While estrogen therapy shows promise in mitigating MI risk for postmenopausal woman, its efficacy in prevention and recovery remains a subject of debate. This review provides a critical assessment of existing evidence on estrogen therapy's cardioprotective effects for postmenopausal women. It delves into estrogen's role in vascular function enhancement, inflammation reduction, and lipid metabolism modulation. Additionally, it addresses the various forms of estrogen therapy, administration methods, dosage considerations, safety implications, and associated risks. The review highlights the existing controversies and knowledge gaps related to estrogen therapy for MI prevention. It underscores the urgency for in-depth research to decipher the nexus between estrogen therapy and MI risk, especially concerning primary prevention and specific postmenopausal subgroups. Future studies should investigate optimal formulations, doses, and administration routes of estrogen therapy as well as assess treatment timing and duration. Comparative studies and long-term follow-up are necessary to inform clinical decision-making and improve patient care. Addressing these research gaps will empower clinicians to make more judicious choices about estrogen therapy for MI prevention and recovery in postmenopausal women, aiming for enhanced patient outcomes.

Evaluating the cost utility of estradiol plus dydrogesterone for the treatment of menopausal women in China

AIM

Evaluate the cost utility of menopausal hormone therapy for women in China.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A bespoke Markov cost utility model was developed to evaluate a cohort of symptomatic perimenopausal women (>45 years) with intact uterus in China in accordance with China's Pharmacoeconomic guideline. Short (5-year) and long (10-year) treatment durations were evaluated over a lifetime model time horizon with 12-month cycle duration. Societal and healthcare payer perspectives were evaluated in the context of a primary care provider/prescriber, outpatient setting with inpatient care for patients with chronic conditions. Disease risk and mortality parameters were derived from focused literature searches, and China Diagnosis-related Group cost data was included. Comprehensive scenario, univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were undertaken along with independent validation. This is the first model to include MHT-related disease risks.

RESULTS

According to base case results, the total cost for MHT was 22,516$ (150,106¥) and total quality adjusted life years 12.32 versus total cost of no MHT 30,824$ (205,495¥) and total quality adjusted life years 11.16 resulting in a dominant incremental cost effectiveness ratio of -7,184$ (-47,898¥) per QALY. Results hold true over a range of univariate deterministic sensitivity and scenario analyses. Probabilistic analysis showed a 91% probability of being cost effective at a willingness to pay threshold of three times Gross Domestic Product per capita in China.

CONCLUSION

Contingent on the structure and assumptions of the model, combination of estradiol plus dydrogesterone MHT is potentially cost saving in symptomatic women over the age of 45 years in China.

Hormones and thrombosis: the dark side of the moon

BACKGROUND

The main drawback of oral contraceptives (OC) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an increased risk of venous and, to a lesser extent, arterial thrombosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This narrative, case-based review describes the effect of available estrogens and progestogens on the hemostatic system and their potential impact on the risk of thrombosis. Clinical cases are used to illustrate different options for prescribing OC and HRT in the real-word. The aim is to offer discussion topics that could be helpful to guide the choice of different hormonal treatments over a woman's lifetime and in the presence of risk factors.

RESULTS

We describe physio-pathological changes occurring during the administration of hormonal therapies. Furthermore, we analyze the risk of venous and arterial thrombosis associated with different products, routes of administration and additional risk factors. New hormonal preparations, such as estradiol combined with dienogest, as well as non-oral hormonal therapies, are suggested to decrease thrombotic risk significantly.

DISCUSSION

The availability of many products and different routes of administration allow most women to safely use contraception, as well as HRT. We encourage careful counselling instead of inflexible or fearful behavior, as expanding options and choices will allow women to make the best decisions for their health.

A comprehensive review of the ten main platelet receptors involved in platelet activity and cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death worldwide. Although there are many variables that contribute to the development of this disease, it is predominantly the activity of platelets that provides the mechanisms by which this disease prevails. While there are numerous platelet receptors expressed on the surface of platelets, it is largely the consensus that there are 10 main platelet receptors that contribute to a majority of platelet function. Understanding these key platelet receptors is vitally important for patients suffering from myocardial infarction, CVD, and many other diseases that arise due to overactivation or mutations of these receptors. The goal of this manuscript is to review the main platelet receptors that contribute most to platelet activity.

Role of menopausal hormone therapy in the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis

The use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) has declined due to concerns about its potential side effects. However, its pivotal role in managing postmenopausal osteoporosis is gaining increased recognition. In this article, we explore how MHT assists postmenopausal women in maintaining bone health and preventing fractures. Recent research indicates that MHT significantly reduces the risk of fractures in women. This benefit is evident regardless of a woman's bone mineral density or their use of progestogens. However, there is limited evidence suggesting that the skeletal benefits continue once the treatment is discontinued. Possible complications of MHT include heart attacks, clots, strokes, dementia, and breast cancer. The most suitable candidates for MHT are women who have recently entered menopause, are experiencing menopausal symptoms, and are below 60 years of age with a minimal baseline risk of adverse events. The treatment is available to those who meet these criteria. For women undergoing premature menopause, MHT can be considered as a means to protect bone health, especially if initiated before menopause or if accelerated bone loss is documented soon after menopause. Such decisions should be made after evaluating individual risk factors and benefits.

Statin Use and the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Women Taking Hormone Therapy

Importance

Although hormone therapy (HT) in perimenopausal women is associated with increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), it is unclear to what extent statins may mitigate this HT-associated risk.

Objective

To estimate VTE risk in women aged 50 to 64 years taking HT with or without statins.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This nested case-control study analyzed data from a commercially insured claims database in the US. Eligible participants included women aged 50 to 64 years with at least 1 year of continuous enrollment between 2008 and 2019. Data analysis occurred from January 2022 to August 2023.

Exposure

Filled prescriptions for estrogens, progestogens, and statins were recorded in the 12 months prior to index. Recent HT was defined as any estrogen or progestogen exposure within 60 days before the index date. Current statin exposure was defined as 90 or more days of continuous exposure prior to and including the index date. Statin intensity was defined by the statin exposure 30 days prior to index.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Cases were identified with VTE diagnoses (diagnostic codes) preceded by at least 12 months without VTE and followed within 30 days by anticoagulation, an inferior vena cava filter placement, or death. Controls were matched to cases (10:1) on date and age. Conditional logistic regression models estimated risk for HT and statin exposures with odds ratios (OR), adjusted for comorbidities. Conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate VTE risk for HT and statin exposures with odds ratios (ORs), adjusted for comorbidities. Intensity of statin therapy was measured as a subgroup analysis.

Results

The total sample of 223 949 individuals (mean [SD] age, 57.5 [4.4] years) included 20 359 cases and 203 590 matched controls. Of the entire sample, 19 558 individuals (8.73%) had recent HT exposure and 36 238 individuals (16.18%) had current statin exposure. In adjusted models, individuals with any recent HT exposure had greater odds of VTE compared with those with no recent HT exposure (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.43-1.60). Individuals receiving current statin therapy had lower odds of VTE compared with those with no current statin exposure (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.84-0.93). When compared with those not recently taking HT or statins, the odds of VTE were greater for those taking HT without statins (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.44-1.63) and for those taking HT with statins (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10-1.43), but were lower for those taking statins without HT (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.85-0.94). Individuals taking HT with statin therapy had 18% lower odds of VTE than those taking HT without statins (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.71-0.94) and there was greater risk reduction with higher intensity statins.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this case-control study, statin therapy was associated with reduced risk of VTE in women taking HT, with greater risk reduction with high-intensity statins. These findings suggest that statins may reduce risk of VTE in women exposed to HT and that HT may not be contraindicated in women taking statins.

'Tis but a scratch: a critical review of the Women's Health Initiative evidence associating menopausal hormone therapy with the risk of breast cancer

ABSTRACT

Use of menopausal hormone therapy (HT) fell precipitously after 2002, largely as a result of the Women's Health Initiative's report claiming that the combination of conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) and medroxyprogesterone acetate increased breast cancer risk and did not improve quality of life. More recently, Women's Health Initiative (WHI) publications acknowledge HT as the most effective treatment for managing menopausal vasomotor symptoms and report that CEE alone reduces the risk of breast cancer by 23% while reducing breast cancer death by 40%. Their sole remaining concern is a small increase in breast cancer incidence with CEE and medroxyprogesterone acetate (1 per 1,000 women per year) but with no increased risk of breast cancer mortality. This article closely examines evidence that calls even this claim of breast cancer risk into serious question, including the WHI's reporting of nonsignificant results as if they were meaningful, a misinterpretation of its own data, and the misleading assertion that the WHI's findings have reduced the incidence of breast cancer in the United States. A generation of women has been deprived of HT largely as a result of this widely publicized misinterpretation of the data. This article attempts to rectify this misunderstanding, with the goal of helping patients and physicians make informed joint decisions about the use of HT.

Postmenopausal hormone therapy in prior pre-eclamptic women: a nationwide cohort study in Finland

OBJECTIVE

We compared the trends of hormone therapy (HT) use among women with and without a history of pre-eclampsia.

METHODS

This national cohort study consisted of women with a pre-eclamptic pregnancy (n = 31,688) or a normotensive pregnancy (n = 91,726) (controls) during 1969-1993. The data on their use of HT during 1994-2019 were traced from the National Medicine Reimbursement Register.

RESULTS

Both women with a history of pre-eclampsia and controls initiated HT at a mean age of 49.9 years. Cumulative HT™ use during the total follow-up did not differ between the groups (31.1% vs. 30.6%, p = 0.066). However, HT use in previously pre-eclamptic women was less common in 1994-2006 (20.2% vs. 22.4%, p < 0.001) and more common in 2007-2019 (22.1% vs. 21.1%, p < 0.001) than in controls. This trend was also seen in the annual changes of HT starters. Women with a history of pre-eclampsia used HT for a shorter time (6.3 vs. 7.1 years, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to controls, HT use in previously pre-eclamptic women increased during the last half of the follow-up. This may reflect the changes in the international recommendations, the increased awareness of pre-eclampsia-related cardiovascular risk later in life and the aim to diminish this risk with HT.

A mini-review of the evidence for cerebrovascular changes following gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy and a call for increased focus on cerebrovascular transgender health

Gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy (gaHRT) is an important step for many in the gender diverse community, associated with increased quality-of-life and lower self-reported scores of depression and anxiety. However, considering the interactions that the involved sex hormones have on vasculature (with oestrogen and testosterone demonstrating vasodilatory and vasoconstricting properties, respectively), it is important for transgender healthcare research to examine how the manipulation of these hormones interact with cerebrovascular structure and functioning. There is a stark lack of research in this area. This mini-review outlines the research suggesting a vascular impact of these sex hormones using evidence from a range of cohorts (e.g., menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome) and discusses the work that has been done into cerebrovascular changes following gaHRT. Finally, recommendations for future research into cerebrovascular health in transgender cohorts following gaHRT are outlined.

[Russian eligibility criteria prescribing menopausal hormonal hormones therapy for patients with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Consensus document of the Russian Cardiological Society, Russian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Russian Association of Endocrinologists, Eurasian Association of Therapists, Association of Phlebologists of Russia]

Menopausal symptoms can disrupt the life course of women at the peak of their career and family life. Currently, the most effective treatment for these manifestations is menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). The presence of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in itself does not exclude the possibility of prescribing MHT to relieve menopausal symptoms and improve quality of life. However, often an obstacle to the use of this type of hormonal therapy is the fear of doctors who are afraid of doing more harm to patients than good. Caution is especially important when it comes to women with underlying health conditions. Moreover, it should be recognized that there is a lack of high-quality research regarding the safety of MHT for major chronic non-infectious diseases and common comorbid conditions. The presented consensus document analyzed all currently available data obtained from clinical trials of various designs and created a set of criteria for the acceptability of prescribing MHT to women with concomitant cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Based on the presented document, doctors of various specialties who advise women in menopause will receive an accessible algorithm that will allow them to avoid potentially dangerous situations and reasonably prescribe MHT in real practice.

[Russian Eligibility Criteria for Prescribing Menopausal Hormone Therapy to Patients With Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases. Consensus Document of RSC, RSOG, RAE, EUAT, RAP]

Menopausal symptoms can impair the life of women at the peak of their career and family life. At the present time, the most effective treatment for these manifestations is menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). The presence of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in itself does not exclude the possibility of prescribing MHT to relieve menopausal symptoms and improve quality of life. However, often an obstacle to the use of this type of hormone therapy is the fear of physicians to do more harm to patients than good. Caution is especially important when it comes to women with concurrent diseases. Moreover, it should be recognized that there is a shortage of high-quality research on the safety of MHT for underlying chronic non-infectious diseases and common comorbidities. The presented consensus analyzed all currently available data from clinical trials of various designs and created a set of criteria for the appropriateness of prescribing MHT to women with concomitant cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Based on the presented document, physicians of various specialties who advise menopausal women will receive an accessible algorithm that will allow them to avoid potentially dangerous situations and reasonably prescribe MHT in real-life practice.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Women: Providing Protection With Lipid-altering Agents

PURPOSE

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of death in women, yet it remains underdiagnosed, undertreated, and understudied in women compared with men. Although estrogen has provided observational evidence of cardioprotection, randomized controlled trials using hormone replacement therapy have generally produced unfavorable results.

METHODS

For this narrative review, a literature search was performed using the key words cardiovascular disease, women, and dyslipidemia in PubMed and Google Scholar with no date limitations. References within each article were also reviewed for additional relevant articles.

FINDINGS

Sex-specific risk factors and underrecognized conditions more predominant in women elevate ASCVD risk, creating further clinical challenges, such as the need for accurate risk stratification, compared with in men. Dyslipidemia frequently manifests or worsens during the menopausal transition. Therefore, identification during midlife and implementing lipid-lowering strategies to reduce ASCVD risk is imperative. Women have historically been poorly represented in cardiovascular (CV) outcome trials. However, more recent studies and meta-analyses have indicated that lipid-lowering therapies are equally effective in women and produce similar reductions in CV events and total mortality. Major cholesterol guidelines address many of the challenges that clinicians face when assessing ASCVD risk in women. Key points specific to women include obtaining a detailed history of pregnancy-related conditions, identification of common autoimmune disorders associated with systemic inflammation, and use of 10-year ASCVD risk calculators and imaging modalities (coronary artery calcium) to optimize ASCVD assessment. In terms of treatment, similar to men, women with existing ASCVD or high-risk primary prevention patients should be treated aggressively to achieve ≥50% LDL-C reductions and/or LDL-C goals as low as <55 mg/dL. Appropriate lipid-lowering therapies include high-intensity statins with or without ezetimibe and proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin/type 9 inhibitors. Women with lower ASCVD risk may be considered for low- to moderate-intensity statin therapy (approximately 30%-50% LDL-C reduction). All women, regardless of ASCVD risk category, should implement therapeutic lifestyle changes, which improve many common age-related cardiometabolic conditions.

IMPLICATIONS

Although ASCVD and current risk factor trends in women are concerning, numerous evidence-based approaches are available to protect women with ASCVD risk from life-changing CV events.

Phytoestrogen-Based Hormonal Replacement Therapy Could Benefit Women Suffering Late-Onset Asthma

It has been observed that plasmatic concentrations of estrogens, progesterone, or both correlate with symptoms in asthmatic women. Fluctuations in female sex steroid concentrations during menstrual periods are closely related to asthma symptoms, while menopause induces severe physiological changes that might require hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), that could influence asthma symptoms in these women. Late-onset asthma (LOA) has been categorized as a specific asthmatic phenotype that includes menopausal women and novel research regarding therapeutic alternatives that might provide relief to asthmatic women suffering LOA warrants more thorough and comprehensive analysis. Therefore, the present review proposes phytoestrogens as a promising HRT that might provide these females with relief for both their menopause and asthma symptoms. Besides their well-recognized anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities, phytoestrogens activate estrogen receptors and promote mild hormone-like responses that benefit postmenopausal women, particularly asthmatics, constituting therefore a very attractive potential therapy largely due to their low toxicity and scarce side effects.

Management of menopause

During perimenopause and after menopause, women may experience diverse symptoms. All women require a comprehensive assessment of their current health and risks for future disease, appropriate screening, and promotion of a healthy lifestyle. Menopausal hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms. It can be offered to symptomatic patients with no contraindications following an individualised discussion about the risk of harms versus benefits. Menopausal hormone therapy is recommended for women with premature ovarian insufficiency (menopause occurring before 40 years of age) regardless of symptoms, unless contraindicated. Nonhormonal medications may improve symptoms for women who have contraindications to, or do not wish to take, menopausal hormone therapy.

A roadmap for sex- and gender-disaggregated health research

Sex and gender are fundamental aspects of health and wellbeing. Yet many research studies fail to consider sex or gender differences, and even when they do this is often limited to merely cataloguing such differences in the makeup of study populations. The evidence on sex and gender differences is thus incomplete in most areas of medicine. This article presents a roadmap for the systematic conduct of sex- and gender-disaggregated health research. We distinguish three phases: the exploration of sex and gender differences in disease risk, presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes; explaining any found differences by revealing the underlying mechanisms; and translation of the implications of such differences to policy and practice. For each phase, we provide critical methodological considerations and practical examples are provided, taken primarily from the field of cardiovascular disease. We also discuss key overarching themes and terminology that are at the essence of any study evaluating the relevance of sex and gender in health. Here, we limit ourselves to binary sex and gender in order to produce a coherent, succinct narrative. Further disaggregation by sex and gender separately and which recognises intersex, non-binary, and gender-diverse identities, as well as other aspects of intersectionality, can build on this basic minimum level of disaggregation. We envision that uptake of this roadmap, together with wider policy and educational activities, will aid researchers to systematically explore and explain relevant sex and gender differences in health and will aid educators, clinicians, and policymakers to translate the outcomes of research in the most effective and meaningful way, for the benefit of all.

Iron gets in the way

Accumulation of iron with age may inhibit the benefits of hormone replacement therapy on cardiovascular disease in late postmenopause.

Management of perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms

Most women worldwide experience menopausal symptoms during the menopause transition or postmenopause. Vasomotor symptoms are most pronounced during the first four to seven years but can persist for more than a decade, and genitourinary symptoms tend to be progressive. Although the hallmark symptoms are hot flashes, night sweats, disrupted sleep, and genitourinary discomfort, other common symptoms and conditions are mood fluctuations, cognitive changes, low sexual desire, bone loss, increase in abdominal fat, and adverse changes in metabolic health. These symptoms and signs can occur in any combination or sequence, and the link to menopause may even be elusive. Estrogen based hormonal therapies are the most effective treatments for many of the symptoms and, in the absence of contraindications to treatment, have a generally favorable benefit:risk ratio for women below age 60 and within 10 years of the onset of menopause. Non-hormonal treatment options are also available. Although a symptom driven treatment approach with individualized decision making can improve health and quality of life for midlife women, menopausal symptoms remain substantially undertreated by healthcare providers.

Hypertension after the Menopause: What Can We Learn from Experimental Studies?

Hypertension is the most prevalent cardiovascular disease of the adult population and is closely associated with serious cardiovascular events. The burden of hypertension with respect to vascular and other organ damage is greater in women. These sex differences are not fully understood. The unique feature in women is their transition to menopause accompanied by profound hormonal changes that affect the vasculature that are also associated with changes of blood pressure. Results from studies of hormone replacement therapy and its effects on the cardiovascular system are controversial, and the timing of treatment after menopause seems to be important. Therefore, revealing potential sex- and sex hormone-dependent pathophysiological mechanisms of hypertension in experimental studies could provide valuable information for better treatment of hypertension and vascular impairment, especially in postmenopausal women. The experimental rat models subjected to ovariectomy mimicking menopause could be useful tools for studying the mechanisms of blood pressure regulation after menopause and during subsequent therapy.

Use of exogenous hormones in those at increased risk for breast cancer: contraceptive and menopausal hormones in gene carriers and other high-risk patients

IMPORTANCE AND OBJECTIVE

Addressing the hormonal needs of individuals at increased risk of breast cancer (BC) can be a challenge. Observational, prospective, and case-control data support the safety of hormonal contraception in women, often with the added benefits of ovarian and endometrial cancer risk reduction. The majority of data on menopausal hormone therapy (HT) in the highest-risk patients comes from studies of patients with pathogenic variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 who undergo early surgical menopause. The benefits of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy are not minimized by HT, whereas its use mitigates accelerated osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. In other patients at increased risk, such as with family history, studies have shown little risk with significant benefit.

METHODS

We review evidence to help women's health practitioners aid patients in making choices. The paper is divided into four parts: 1, contraception in the very high-risk patient (ie, with a highly penetrant BC predisposition gene); 2, contraception in other patients at increased risk; 3, menopausal HT in the gene carrier; and 4, HT in other high-risk patients.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Women at increased risk for BC both early and later in life should be offered reassurance around the use of premenopausal and postmenopausal hormone therapies. The absolute risks associated with these therapies are low, even in the very high-risk patient, and the benefits are often substantial. Shared decision making is key in presenting options, and knowledge of the data in this area is fundamental to these discussions.

Association between hormone therapy and short-term cardiovascular events in women with spontaneous coronary artery dissection

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Changes in sex hormone levels are a known triggering factor for spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) in women. However, it is unknown whether exposure to exogenous hormone therapy (HT) at the time of SCAD presentation modifies the clinical course of this condition. We investigated the association between HT in female patients presenting with SCAD and short-term clinical outcomes.

METHODS

We enrolled consecutive patients presenting with SCAD from the DISCO-IT/SPA (dissezioni spontanee coronariche Italian-Spanish) registry. Women on HT (estrogens, progestagens, or gonadotropins) at the time of presentation were identified, and their clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes were compared with those not receiving active HT. The outcome measure was nonfatal myocardial infarction and/or unplanned percutaneous coronary intervention during the first 28 days after the index catheterization.

RESULTS

Of 224 women presenting with SCAD (mean age 52.0±10.0 years), 39 (17.4%) were currently using HT while 185 (82.6%) were not. No significant differences were noted in the baseline demographics, clinical presentation, angiographic features, or initial treatment received between the 2 groups. All patients on systemic HT (n=36, 92%) discontinued it at the time of diagnosis. The composite outcome occurred in 7 (17.9%) patients with prior HT compared with 14 (7.6%) without (P=.039). After multivariable adjustment, HT remained associated with the composite outcome recorded in the first 28 days of follow-up (HR, 3.53; 95%CI, 1.30-9.61; P=.013).

CONCLUSIONS

In women with SCAD, exposure to HT at the time of clinical presentation was associated with short-term recurrent cardiovascular events such as nonfatal myocardial infarction and/or unplanned percutaneous revascularization.

Rethinking Menopausal Hormone Therapy: For Whom, What, When, and How Long?

Menopausal hormone therapy (HT) was widely used in the past, but with the publication of seminal primary and secondary prevention trials that reported an excess cardiovascular risk with combined estrogen-progestin, HT use declined significantly. However, over the past 20 years, much has been learned about the relationship between the timing of HT use with respect to age and time since menopause, HT route of administration, and cardiovascular disease risk. Four leading medical societies recommend HT for the treatment of menopausal women with bothersome menopausal symptoms. In this context, this review, led by the American College of Cardiology Cardiolovascular Disease in Women Committee, along with leading gynecologists, women's health internists, and endocrinologists, aims to provide guidance on HT use, including the selection of patients and HT formulation with a focus on caring for symptomatic women with cardiovascular disease risk.

Vasomotor Symptoms During Menopause: A Practical Guide on Current Treatments and Future Perspectives

Vasomotor symptoms affect as many as 80% of midlife women, but only about one in four women receive treatment due to many factors. Menopausal hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms, and current professional guidelines conclude that the benefits of treatment typically outweigh the risks for healthy, symptomatic women under age 60 years and those within 10 years from their final menstrual period. For women with medical comorbidities, an individualized approach to treatment is recommended. For women who cannot use or choose not to use menopausal hormone therapy, there are many evidence-based non-hormonal options available including pharmacologic therapies. This review aims to summarize treatment options for bothersome vasomotor symptoms to guide clinicians caring for midlife women.

Evolution of sleep-disordered breathing and blood pressure during menopausal transition

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the blood pressure increase observed during menopausal transition is affected by sleep-disordered breathing and the menopause itself. Further, we aimed to find new sleep-disordered breathing related markers that would predict the development of hypertension. Sixty-four community-dwelling premenopausal women aged 45-47 years were studied. Polysomnography, serum follicle stimulating hormone, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, and a physical examination were performed at baseline and again after 10 years of follow-up. Indices for sleep apnea/hypopnea and inspiratory flow-limitation were determined. Regression models were used to study the relationships between variables. Changes in the apnea-hypopnea index or serum follicle stimulating hormone were not significant for blood pressure change. An increase in morning blood pressure during the follow-up period was associated with a body mass-index increase. An increase in evening blood pressure was associated with an increase in inspiratory flow-limitation during non-rapid eye movement sleep. Incident hypertension during the follow-up was associated with hypopnea (median hypopnea index 7.6/h, p = 0.048) during rapid eye movement sleep at baseline. Users of menopausal hormone therapy had a lower rapid eye movement sleep apnea-hypopnea index (1.6/h vs. 6.9/h, p = 0.026) at baseline whereas at follow-up users and non-users did not differ in any way. The progression of menopause or the use of menopausal hormone therapy had a minimal effect on blood pressure in our population. The effects of inspiratory flow-limitation on blood pressure profile should be studied further.

The risk of long-term cardiometabolic disease in women with premature or early menopause: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Transition into menopause is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, it is unclear whether the association exists between premature menopause (defined as age at menopause 40 years) or early menopause (defined as age at menopause 40-45 years) and CVD or cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this review was to comprehensively evaluate and meta-analyze the most reliable evidence about the relationship between menopausal age and the risk of long-term cardiometabolic disease.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases from inception to October 1, 2022, for titles and abstracts with a restriction to English language papers led to the discovery of the studies. Data are expressed as the Hazard Ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The degree of heterogeneity was measured using the I-square (I ²) index.

Results

921,517 participants from 20 cohort studies published between 1998 and 2022 were considered. Compared to women with menopause at age >45 years, women with premature menopause (PM) or early menopause (EM) had a higher risks of type 2 diabetes (RR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.08-1.62; RR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.91-1.36, respectively), hyperlipidemia (RR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05-1.39; RR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02-1.33, respectively), coronary heart disease (RR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.22-1.91; RR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.07-1.32, respectively), stroke (RR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.02-1.58; RR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.97-1.32, respectively) and total cardiovascular event (RR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.16-1.60; RR: 1.14, 95% CI: 0.97-1.35, respectively). No difference was found for hypertension in PM or EM women (RR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.89-1.07; RR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.91-1.04, respectively). Additionally, we also found that PM women, but not EM women, were linked with an increased risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. However, this is not in line with the conclusion that both PM and EM had a higher risk of total stroke.

Conclusion

Women with PM or EM have a higher risk of developing long-term CVD, compared to women with menopause at age >45 years. Therefore, we recommend early lifestyle interventions (e.g., maintaining a healthy lifestyle) and medical treatments (e.g., timely initiation of menopausal hormone therapy) to decrease the risk of cardiometabolic disease in early or premature menopausal women.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO, identifier CRD42022378750.

Determining optimal strategies for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: systematic review of cost-effectiveness analyses in the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of the study was to guide researchers and commissioners of cardiovascular disease preventative services towards possible cost-effective interventions by reviewing published economic analyses of interventions for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, conducted for or within the UK NHS.

METHODS

In January 2021, electronic searches of MEDLINE and Embase were carried out to find economic evaluations of cardiovascular disease preventative services. We included fully published economic evaluations (including economic models) conducted alongside randomised controlled trials of any form of intervention that was aimed at the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, including, but not limited to, drugs, diet, physical activity and public health. Full systematic review methods were used with predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria, data extraction and formal quality appraisal [using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards checklist and the framework for the quality assessment of decision analytic modelling by Philips et al. (Philips Z, Ginnelly L, Sculpher M, Claxton K, Golder S, Riemsma R, et al. Review of guidelines for good practice in decision-analytic modelling in health technology assessment. Health Technol Assess 2004;8(36)].

RESULTS

Of 4351 non-duplicate citations, eight articles met the review's inclusion criteria. The eight articles focused on health promotion (n = 3), lipid-lowering medicine (n = 4) and blood pressure-lowering medication (n = 1). The majority of the populations in each study had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease or were at high risk of cardiovascular disease. For the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, all strategies were cost-effective at a threshold of £25,000 per quality-adjusted life-year, except increasing motivational interviewing in addition to other behaviour change strategies. Where the cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained was reported, interventions varied from dominant (i.e. less expensive and more effective than the comparator intervention) to £55,000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained.

FUTURE WORK AND LIMITATIONS

We found few health economic analyses of interventions for primary cardiovascular disease prevention conducted within the last decade. Future economic assessments should be undertaken and presented in accordance with best practices so that future reviews may make clear recommendations to improve health policy.

CONCLUSIONS

It is difficult to establish direct comparisons or draw firm conclusions because of the uncertainty and heterogeneity among studies. However, interventions conducted for or within the UK NHS were likely to be cost-effective in people at increased risk of cardiovascular disease when compared with usual care or no intervention.

FUNDING

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in Health Technology Assessment. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Eligibility criteria for Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT): a position statement from a consortium of scientific societies for the use of MHT in women with medical conditions. MHT Eligibility Criteria Group

This project aims to develop eligibility criteria for menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). The tool should be similar to those already established for contraception A consortium of scientific societies coordinated by the Spanish Menopause Society met to formulate recommendations for the use of MHT by women with medical conditions based on the best available evidence. The project was developed in two phases. As a first step, we conducted 14 systematic reviews and 32 metanalyses on the safety of MHT (in nine areas: age, time of menopause onset, treatment duration, women with thrombotic risk, women with a personal history of cardiovascular disease, women with metabolic syndrome, women with gastrointestinal diseases, survivors of breast cancer or of other cancers, and women who smoke) and on the most relevant pharmacological interactions with MHT. These systematic reviews and metanalyses helped inform a structured process in which a panel of experts defined the eligibility criteria according to a specific framework, which facilitated the discussion and development process. To unify the proposal, the following eligibility criteria have been defined in accordance with the WHO international nomenclature for the different alternatives for MHT (category 1, no restriction on the use of MHT; category 2, the benefits outweigh the risks; category 3, the risks generally outweigh the benefits; category 4, MHT should not be used). Quality was classified as high, moderate, low or very low, based on several factors (including risk of bias, inaccuracy, inconsistency, lack of directionality and publication bias). When no direct evidence was identified, but plausibility, clinical experience or indirect evidence were available, "Expert opinion" was categorized. For the first time, a set of eligibility criteria, based on clinical evidence and developed according to the most rigorous methodological tools, has been defined. This will provide health professionals with a powerful decision-making tool that can be used to manage menopausal symptoms.

Metabolic Disorders in Menopause

Menopause is an aging process and an important time equivalent to one-third of a woman's lifetime. Menopause significantly increases the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD)/metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MFFLD), and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Women experience a variety of symptoms in the perimenopausal period, and these symptoms are distressing for most women. Many factors worsen a woman's menopausal experience, and controlling these factors may be a strategy to improve postmenopausal women's health. This review aimed to confirm the association between menopause and metabolic diseases (especially MetS), including pathophysiology, definition, prevalence, diagnosis, management, and prevention.

[Preventive activities in women. PAPPS update 2022]

In the 2022 PAPPS update we present those specific preventive activities for women's health, except those related to cancer prevention (which are included in another document) and those aspects related to differential gender morbidity, a cross-cutting aspect for all working groups. Contraception is an essential preventive activity, considering basic the right to decide both the number of children and the time to have them. We must inform about the possible contraceptive methods, guaranteeing the monitoring of their safety, efficacy and effectiveness (tables are included on changing from one method to another to preserve contraceptive protection). We must inform about emergency contraception and propose it in the event of unprotected intercourse. All this will be done through opportunistic screening without requiring screening for thrombophilia or dyslipidemia, but for arterial hypertension. Pregnancy is an important life experience and the family doctor should not remain oblivious. We must be competent both in the preconception consultation (recommending the intake of folic acid, avoiding exposure to occupational and environmental risks, screening for certain pathologies and assessing the intake of drugs not indicated during pregnancy) and in the monitoring of pregnancy. Whether or not we monitor the pregnancy, we must not disregard its control, taking advantage of this period to promote healthy lifestyles and participating in the intercurrent processes that may occur. Menopause in general and osteoporosis in particular exemplify the strategy of medicalization of vital processes that has been followed from different instances and organizations. In our update we address the prevention and treatment of symptoms secondary to estrogen deprivation. We also propose the prevention of osteoporosis, including carrying out densitometry based on the risk of fracture in the next 10 years, and therefore densitometric screening is not recommended in women under 60 years of age. In risk assessment we recommend the use of the frax tool or better, the calibration of the risk of hip fracture with prevalence data from our setting. We linked the indication for treatment with the Z-Score (bone mineral density compared with women of the same age), as it is a condition associated with aging.

The interplay between diabetes mellitus and menopause: clinical implications

The menopausal transition is an impactful period in women's lives, when the risk of cardiovascular disease is accelerated. Similarly, diabetes mellitus profoundly impacts cardiovascular risk. However, the interplay between menopause and diabetes mellitus has not been adequately studied. The menopausal transition is accompanied by metabolic changes that predispose to diabetes mellitus, particularly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as menopause results in increased risk of upper body adipose tissue accumulation and increased incidence of insulin resistance. Equally, diabetes mellitus can affect ovarian ageing, potentially causing women with type 1 diabetes mellitus and early-onset T2DM to experience menopause earlier than women without diabetes mellitus. Earlier age at menopause has been associated with a higher risk of T2DM later in life. Menopausal hormone therapy can reduce the risk of T2DM and improve glycaemic control in women with pre-existing diabetes mellitus; however, there is not enough evidence to support the administration of menopausal hormone therapy for diabetes mellitus prevention or control. This Review critically appraises studies published within the past few years on the interaction between diabetes mellitus and menopause and addresses all clinically relevant issues, such as the effect of menopause on the development of T2DM, and the management of both menopause and diabetes mellitus.

Sex hormones and immune system: Menopausal hormone therapy in the context of COVID-19 pandemic

The fatal outcomes of COVID-19 are related to the high reactivity of the innate wing of immunity. Estrogens could exert anti-inflammatory effects during SARS-CoV-2 infection at different stages: from increasing the antiviral resistance of individual cells to counteracting the pro-inflammatory cytokine production. A complex relationship between sex hormones and immune system implies that menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) has pleiotropic effects on immunity in peri- and postmenopausal patients. The definite immunological benefits of perimenopausal MHT confirm the important role of estrogens in regulation of immune functionalities. In this review, we attempt to explore how sex hormones and MHT affect immunological parameters of the organism at different level (in vitro, in vivo) and what mechanisms are involved in their protective response to the new coronavirus infection. The correlation of sex steroid levels with severity and lethality of the disease indicates the potential of using hormone therapy to modulate the immune response and increase the resilience to adverse outcomes. The overall success of MHT is based on decades of experience in clinical trials. According to the current standards, MHT should not be discontinued in COVID-19 with the exception of critical cases.

Effect of menopausal hormone therapy on methylation levels in early and late postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death among postmenopausal women but standard primary prevention strategies in women are not as effective as in men. By comparison, the Early versus Late Intervention Trial with Estradiol (ELITE) study demonstrated that hormone therapy (HT) was associated with significant reduction in atherosclerosis progression in women who were within six years of menopause compared to those who were 10 or more years from menopause. These findings are consistent with other studies showing significant reductions in all-cause mortality and CVD with HT, particularly when initiated in women younger than 60 years of age or within 10 years since menopause. To explore the biological mechanisms underlying the age-related atheroprotective effects of HT, we investigated changes in methylation of blood cells of postmenopausal women who participated in ELITE.

RESULTS

We first validated the epigenetic data generated from blood leukocytes of ELITE participants by replicating previously known associations between smoking and methylation levels at previously identified CpG sites, such as cg05575921 at the AHRR locus. An epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) evaluating changes in methylation through interactions with time-since-menopause and HT revealed two significantly associated CpG sites on chromosomes 12 (cg19552895; p = 1.1 × 10^-9) and 19 (cg18515510; p = 2.4 × 10^-8). Specifically, HT resulted in modest, but significant, increases in methylation levels at both CpGs but only in women who were 10 or more years since menopause and randomized to HT. Changes in carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) from baseline to 36 months after HT were not significantly correlated with changes in methylation levels at either cg19552895 or cg18515510. Evaluation of other previously identified CpG sites at which methylation levels in either blood or vascular tissue were associated with atherosclerosis also did not reveal any differences in methylation as a function of HT and time-since-menopause or with changes in CIMT.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified specific methylation differences in blood in response to HT among women who were 10 or more years since menopause. The functional consequence of these change with respect to atherosclerosis progression and protective effects of HT remains to be determined and will require additional studies.

Testosterone-to-estradiol ratio and platelet thromboxane release in ischemic heart disease: the EVA project

BACKGROUND

Data on the interplay between sexual hormones balance, platelet function and clinical outcomes of adults with ischemic heart disease (IHD) are still lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between the Testosterone (T)-to-Estradiol (E2) Ratio (T/E2) and platelet activation biomarkers in IHD and its predictive value on adverse outcomes.

METHODS

The EVA study is a prospective observational study of consecutive hospitalized adults with IHD undergoing coronary angiography and/or percutaneous coronary interventions. Serum T/E2 ratios E2, levels of thromboxane B₂ (TxB₂) and nitrates (NO), were measured at admission and major adverse events, including all-cause mortality, were collected during a long-term follow-up.

RESULTS

Among 509 adults with IHD (mean age 67 ± 11 years, 30% females), males were older with a more adverse cluster of cardiovascular risk factors than females. Acute coronary syndrome and non-obstructive coronary artery disease were more prevalent in females versus males. The lower sex-specific T/E2 ratios identified adults with the highest level of serum TxB₂ and the lowest NO levels. During a median follow-up of 23.7 months, the lower sex-specific T/E2 was associated with higher all-cause mortality (HR 3.49; 95% CI 1.24-9.80; p = 0.018). In in vitro, platelets incubated with T/E2 ratios comparable to those measured in vivo in the lowest quartile showed increased platelet activation as indicated by higher levels of aggregation and TxB₂ production.

CONCLUSION

Among adults with IHD, higher T/E2 ratio was associated with a lower long-term risk of fatal events. The effect of sex hormones on the platelet thromboxane release may partially explain such finding.

Management of postmenopausal women: Collège National des Gynécologues et Obstétriciens Français (CNGOF) and Groupe d'Etude sur la Ménopause et le Vieillissement (GEMVi) Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The aim of these recommendations is to set forth an individualized approach to the management of early postmenopausal women (i.e., within the first 10 years after natural menopause) covering all aspects of lifestyle and therapeutic management, with or without menopause hormone therapy (MHT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literature review and consensus of French expert opinion. Recommendations were graded according to the HAS methodology and levels of evidence derived from the international literature, except when there was no good-quality evidence.

SUMMARY RECOMMENDATIONS

The beginning of menopause is an ideal time for each woman to evaluate her health status by assessing her bone, cardiovascular, and cancer-related risk factors that may be amplified by postmenopausal estrogen deficiency and by reviewing her lifestyle habits. Improving lifestyle, including nutrition and physical activity, and avoiding risk factors (notably smoking), should be recommended to all women. MHT remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms but it could be also recommended as first-line treatment for the prevention of osteoporosis in early postmenopausal women at low to moderate risk for fracture. The risks of MHT differ depending on its type, dose, duration of use, route of administration, timing of initiation, and whether a progestogen is used. There is reasonable evidence that using transdermal estradiol in association with micronized progesterone or dydrogesterone may limit both the venous thromboembolic risk associated with oral estrogens and the risk of breast cancer associated with synthetic progestins. Treatment should be individualized to each woman, by using the best available evidence to maximize benefits and minimize risks, with periodic reevaluation of its benefit-risk balance. For bothersome genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) symptoms, vaginal treatment with lubricants and moisturizers is recommended as first-line treatment together with low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy, depending on the clinical course. No recommendation of an optimal duration of MHT can be made, but it must take into consideration the initial indication for MHT as well as each woman's benefit-risk balance. Management of gynecological side-effects of MHT is also examined. These recommendations are endorsed by the Groupe d'Etude sur la Ménopause et le Vieillissement hormonal (GEMVI) and the Collège National des Gynécologues-Obstétriciens Français (CNGOF).

Mechanism of Huangqi Sanxian Decoction Inhibiting Osteoclast Differentiation Based on Network Pharmacology

Osteoclasts (OCs) have been the unique cell type exhibiting the bone-resorption activity in body. It is important to identify drugs to resist osteoclastogenesis to manage the bone-loss disorders. Huangqi Sanxian decoction (HQSXD) is utilized for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) for a long history in East Asia. This work aimed to examine HQSXD’s activity in OC differentiation. Based on staining with tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), it was found that HQSXD suppressed OC generation under the induction of RANKL produced in the bone marrow-derived monocytes/macrophages (BMMs), with no cytotoxic effect. Later analysis like molecular exploration and network pharmacology (NP) suggested the role of HQSXD in suppressing genes associated with osteoclastogenesis via PI3K/Akt-mediated mechanism dose-dependently. This work might illustrate the molecular pharmacological mechanism involved in HQSXD’s effect on treating OC-associated disorders. Moreover, NP was found to modernize traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research.

Evaluation of the Interaction of Sex Hormones and Cardiovascular Function and Health

Purpose of Review

Sex hormones drive development and function of reproductive organs or the development of secondary sex characteristics but their effects on the cardiovascular system are poorly understood. In this review, we identify the gaps in our understanding of the interaction between sex hormones and the cardiovascular system.

Recent Findings

Studies are progressively elucidating molecular functions of sex hormones in specific cell types in parallel with the initiation of crucial large randomized controlled trials aimed at improving therapies for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) associated with aberrant levels of sex hormones.

Summary

In contrast with historical assumptions, we now understand that men and women show different symptoms and progression of CVDs. Abnormal levels of sex hormones pose an independent risk for CVD, which is apparent in conditions like Klinefelter syndrome, androgen insensitivity syndrome, and menopause. Moreover, sex hormone–based therapies remain understudied and may not be beneficial for cardiovascular health.

Roles of Hormone Replacement Therapy and Menopause on Osteoarthritis and Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes: A Narrative Review

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent condition characterized by degradation of the joints. OA and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are leading contributors to disease burden worldwide, with a high level of overlap between the risk factors and occurrence of both conditions. Chief among the risk factors that contribute to OA and CVD are sex and age, which are both independent and interacting traits. Specifically, the prevalence of both conditions is higher in older women, which may be mediated by the occurrence of menopause. Menopause represents a significant transition in a women's life, and the rapid decline in circulating sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, leads to complex physiological changes. Declines in hormone levels may partially explain the increase in prevalence of OA and CVD in post-menopausal women. In theory, the use of hormone therapy (HT) may buffer adverse effects of menopause; however, it is unclear whether HT offers protective effects for the onset or progression of these diseases. Studies have shown mixed results when describing the influence of HT on disease risk among post-menopausal women, which warrants further exploration. The roles that increasing age, female sex, HT, and CVD play in OA risk demonstrate that OA is a multifaceted condition. This review provides a timely consolidation of current literature and suggests aims for future research directions to bridge gaps in the understanding of how OA, CVD, and HT interact in post-menopausal women.