RESUMEN
The aim of this study was to evaluate measures of insulin resistance and platelet function in postmenopausal women with oral or transdermal hormone replacement therapy [HRT]. Eighty women divided into four groups of 20 each were enrolled in the study. Group 1: postmenopausal hysterectomized women who received only transdermal estradiol [13.9 mg/12.5 cm2]; group 2: women with intact uterus who were treated with estrogen-progestin combination [HRT]; group 3: postmenopausal women who were treated with the selective estrogen receptor modulator tibolone, and group 4: women who were not taking any drugs for HRT were chosen as a control group [group 4]. In group 2, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and fasting insulin levels were 2.90 +/- 0.37 and 9.3 +/- 3.0 micro U/ml, respectively, prior to administration of HRT. These levels were reduced to 1.91 +/- 0.41 [p = 0.001] and 7.1 +/- 2.7 micro U/ml [p = 0.002], respectively, after drug therapy. Mean levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP] were decreased with HRT only in group 2 [p = 0.002]. No changes for biochemical and hematological parameters were observed in the other groups. Platelet function tests showed no differences after HRT in any group. Estrogen-progestin combination HRT decreased measures of insulin resistance and hsCRP levels, but had no effect on platelet function tests in postmenopausal women