Long term hormone therapy may increase Alzheimer’s risk, study finds
BMJ 2019; 364 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l1050 (Published 07 March 2019) Cite this as: BMJ 2019;364:l1050Linked Research
Use of postmenopausal hormone therapy and risk of Alzheimer’s disease
- Gareth Iacobucci
- The BMJ
Long term use of oral hormone therapy is associated with a slightly increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease in postmenopausal women, a study published by The BMJ has found.1
The study authors from Finland emphasised that the absolute risk is small (9-18 extra cases per 10 000 women per year) and that the age at which hormone therapy is started has no bearing on future risk. But they advised that women should be informed of the potential risk associated with prolonged use.
Conflicting studies
Several observational studies have shown that postmenopausal hormone therapy may protect against Alzheimer’s disease. But a subsequent placebo controlled clinical trial23 did not confirm this benefit and in fact implied …
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