Menopausal Hormone Therapy & Bone Health Study
Long-Term Hormone Therapy Linked to Sustained Fracture Risk Reduction in Postmenopausal Women
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Study Reveals Complex Relationship Between MHT Use, Discontinuation, adn Bone Health
Recent research published in Teh Lancet Healthy Longevity sheds light on the nuanced relationship between menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), its duration, and long-term fracture risk in postmenopausal women.The study, utilizing routinely collected primary care data, demonstrates a progressively decreasing fracture risk during MHT use, a temporary increase in risk instantly following discontinuation, and a subsequent return to lower risk with extended time off therapy – particularly for those with longer MHT exposure. These findings offer valuable insights for clinicians and patients navigating MHT treatment options and managing bone health.
MHT & Fracture Risk: A Time-Dependent Effect
The nested case-control studies analyzed data to determine how fracture risk changes with MHT use and after stopping treatment. Researchers found that while on MHT, women experienced a reduced risk of fractures compared to those not using hormone therapy. Specifically, the odds ratios (OR) for fracture risk where:
Estrogen-only: OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.78
Estrogen-progestogen: OR,0.75; 95% CI,0.73 to 0.76
However, this protective effect isn’t static. Fracture risk increased within 1 to 10 years after MHT discontinuation, though the increase varied by MHT type:
Estrogen-only: OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.01
Estrogen-progestogen: OR,1.06; 95% CI,1.05 to 1.08
Importantly, the study revealed a reversal of this trend beyond 10 years post-cessation, with fracture risk becoming lower than baseline:
Estrogen-only: OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.91 to 0.94
Estrogen-progestogen: OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.94 to 0.96
“The findings of our study confirmed that women on MHT show a progressively reducing fracture risk compared with women not using MHT.More importantly, we also observed a clear pattern of risk change after therapy was discontinued,” explained lead researcher Dr. Vinogradova.
Duration of MHT Use Significantly Impacts Long-Term Risk
The research highlighted a critical link between the length of MHT use and subsequent fracture risk. Women who used estrogen-progestogen therapy for less than 5 years experienced an estimated 14 extra fracture cases per 10,000 women-years from 1 to 10 years after stopping treatment. In contrast, those with 5 or more years of MHT exposure had only an estimated 5 extra fracture cases per 10,000 women-years during the same period.
This pattern continued beyond 10 years post-discontinuation. Patients on estrogen-progestogen therapy for under 5 years saw an estimated 3 fewer fracture cases, while those using it for 5+ years experienced 13 fewer fracture cases.
These findings underscore the potential for a lasting protective effect with longer-term MHT use, suggesting that the benefits may extend well beyond the duration of therapy.
Implications for Clinical Practice and Patient Counseling
These findings have significant implications for how clinicians approach MHT prescriptions and patient counseling. Understanding the time-dependent nature of fracture risk allows for more informed discussions about the potential benefits and risks of MHT.”Our comparative illustration of observed patterns of fracture risk for short and long use can help doctors and patients when discussing MHT treatment options,and to consider how fracture risk may change after stopping MHT use,” Dr. Vinogradova stated.
The study suggests that clinicians should proactively assess bone health, particularly at the time of MHT discontinuation, especially in patients with additional fracture risk factors like smoking or a sedentary lifestyle. Anticipating the period of increased risk allows for timely interventions, such as bone density screenings or lifestyle modifications.
Furthermore, the research calls for further investigation into the biological mechanisms underlying these observed effects, possibly leading to more targeted and effective strategies for fracture prevention in postmenopausal women.
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