Latest HRT trial results show risk of dementia
BMJ 2003; 326 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.326.7401.1232-b (Published 05 June 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;326:1232
- Deborah Josefson
- Nebraska
Postmenopausal women who take combined oestrogen and progestogen hormone replacement therapy (HRT) face twice the risk of developing dementia than women who do not, a new study says (JAMA 2203;289:2651-62).
The finding deals a fresh blow to the practice of routine hormonal supplementation in postmenopausal women and contradicts previous observational and epidemiological studies that indicated that oestrogen replacement therapy could protect against Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementias (JAMA 2002;288:2123-9, 2170-1).
As reported in last week's BMJ (31 May, p 1161) the drug company Wyeth, which funded the study, has admitted that it secretly briefed a number of medical societies in advance of the study's publication, knowing it was going to be potentially damaging for the company.
The …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £173 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£38 / $45 / €42 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.