Key result
Tibolone shows no effect on carotid intima-media thickness or blood flow resistance in healthy postmenopausal women.
Why the study?
The effects of tibolone on carotid atherosclerosis in healthy postmenopausal women, particularly related to time since menopause, were not well established.
Does tibolone improve blood flow resistance and intima-media thickness of the carotid arteries in healthy postmenopausal women?
Does tibolone improve blood flow resistance and intima-media thickness of the carotid arteries in healthy postmenopausal women?
Tibolone does not significantly affect carotid artery intima-media thickness or blood flow resistance overall in postmenopausal women, but may have beneficial vascular effects if started within 18 months of menopause.
No overall change in carotid markers after tibolone; hypothesis-generating for benefit if started <18 months postmenopause.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of tibolone on carotid atherosclerosis in healthy postmenopausal women. METHODS: Twenty-five healthy postmenopausal women were included in the study. Patients received tibolone 2.5 mg daily for 6 months. Resistance indices of the common carotid artery (CCA), internal carotid artery (ICA), external carotid artery (ECA) and vertebral arteries, and intima-media thickness of the CCA were measured both at baseline and at the end of the study with ultrasonography. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the resistance indices of the CCA, ICA, ECA and vertebral arteries, as well as intima-media thickness of CCA at 6 months in comparison with baseline. Tibolone significantly improved the intima-media thickness of the CCA of women who were less than 18 months since menopause. CONCLUSION: Overall, these results demonstrate no significant effects of tibolone on either intima-media thickness or blood flow resistance in the carotid arteries in postmenopausal women. However, the results suggest that tibolone may have a positive effect on the vascular system if commenced within 18 months since menopause; this warrants further investigation.
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Somunkiran et al. (2006) studied healthy postmenopausal women (n=25). tibolone vs. baseline was evaluated on resistance indices of the CCA, ICA, ECA and vertebral arteries, and intima-media thickness of the CCA. Tibolone 2.5 mg daily for 6 months had no significant effect on carotid artery intima-media thickness or blood flow resistance compared to baseline in healthy postmenopausal women.
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