Bone changes in postmenopausal Thai women with or without hormonal replacement therapy.

ABSTRACT

Bone mass measurement was performed in 95 healthy postmenopausal women to assess the effect of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) on bone changes. Women in the study group (51/95) received estrogen with or without progestin. The control group (44/95) did not receive any hormone regimen. The measurement was done at lumbar spines (L1-L4) and hip by dual energy X-ray absorptiometer at 0, 6 and 12 months. The results revealed significantly higher per cent changes of bone density of lumbar spines and hip, at 12 months, in the study group than in the control. (Study Lumbar Spine +1.76%, Hip +3.57%; Control Lumbar spines -2.32%, Hip +1.32%, P < 0.05). In conclusion, this study showed the value of hormonal replacement therapy for prevention of postmenopausal bone loss in Thai women.