Key result
Hormone replacement therapy use in chronically stressed postmenopausal caregivers was associated with lower levels of hostility and lower 10-year risk scores for cardiovascular disease.
Why the study?
Does hormone replacement therapy improve psychosocial functioning and cardiovascular risk scores in chronically stressed postmenopausal women?
Observational (n=94)
Does hormone replacement therapy improve psychosocial functioning and cardiovascular risk scores in chronically stressed postmenopausal women?
In chronically stressed postmenopausal women, HRT use is associated with improved psychosocial metrics and lower estimated 10-year cardiovascular risk.
HRT-associated lower hostility in stressed caregivers should not yet change practice; leaves open need for RCTs to confirm benefits.
OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the relationship between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use and physical and psychosocial functioning in a sample of chronically stressed older women. METHODS: Participants (N = 94) were postmenopausal women caring for a parent or spouse with dementia. Caregivers were evaluated using both psychological and physical health indices. RESULTS: Caregivers receiving HRT reported lower levels of hostility and were less likely to report unpleasant interactions with members of their support network; these findings were unrelated to demographic variables, caregiving-related indices, or health behaviors. HRT recipients had lower 10-year risk scores for cardiovascular disease, but there were no group differences in stroke risk. The largest effects on hostility, depression, heart and stroke risk were observed in caregivers receiving a combination of estradiol and progesterone. DISCUSSION: HRT for postmenopausal women may promote positive outcomes for some, but not for all, affective states and cardiovascular variables vulnerable to chronic life stressors.
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Steffen et al. (1999) conducted an observational in Chronic stress (n=94). Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) vs. No HRT was evaluated on Physical and psychosocial functioning. Hormone replacement therapy use in chronically stressed postmenopausal caregivers was associated with lower levels of hostility and lower 10-year risk scores for cardiovascular disease.
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