Mortality and cardiac and vascular outcomes in extremely obese women

CONTEXT

Obesity, typically measured as body mass index of 30 or higher, has 3 subclasses: obesity 1 (30-34.9); obesity 2 (35-39.9); and extreme obesity (> or =40). Extreme obesity is increasing particularly rapidly in the United States, yet its health risks are not well characterized.

OBJECTIVE

To determine how cardiovascular and mortality risks differ across clinical weight categories in women, with a focus on extreme obesity.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

We examined incident mortality and cardiovascular outcomes by weight status in 90,185 women recruited from 40 US centers for the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study and followed up for an average of 7.0 years (October 1, 1993 to August 31, 2004).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence of mortality, coronary heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.

RESULTS

Extreme obesity prevalence differed with race/ethnicity, from 1% among Asian and Pacific Islanders to 10% among black women. All-cause mortality rates per 10,000 person-years were 68.39 (95% confidence interval [CI], 65.26-71.68) for normal body mass index, 71.16 (95% CI, 67.68-74.82) for overweight, 84.47 (95% CI, 78.90-90.42) for obesity 1, 102.85 (95% CI, 92.90-113.86) for obesity 2, and 116.85 (95% CI, 103.36-132.11) for extreme obesity. Analyses adjusted for age, smoking, educational achievement, US region, and physical activity levels showed that weight-related risk for all-cause mortality, coronary heart disease mortality, and coronary heart disease incidence did not differ by race/ethnicity. Adjusted analyses among white and black participants showed positive trends in all-cause mortality and coronary heart disease incidence with increasing weight category. Much of the obesity-related mortality and coronary heart disease risk was mediated by diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. In white women, weight-related all-cause mortality risk was modified by age, with obesity conferring less risk among older women.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering obesity as a body mass index of 30 or higher may lead to misinterpretation of individual and population risks. Escalating extreme obesity may exacerbate health effects and costs of the obesity epidemic.

Dietary factors and vasomotor symptoms in breast cancer survivors

OBJECTIVE

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS)(hot flashes, night sweats) are associated with natural or surgically or chemotherapy-induced menopause, the latter occurring frequently in women treated for breast cancer. To manage VMS, some women seek alternatives to menopausal hormone therapy, such as supplements or modified food choices. The objective of the present analyses was to assess associations of VMS occurrence and change in severity of VMS over 12 months with dietary intakes of fiber, fat, and selected soy-containing foods, and use of phytoestrogen or vitamin E supplements in women with recent early stage breast cancer, adjusting for covariates.

DESIGN

Using multivariate logistic regression, data were analyzed from 2,198 women with early-stage breast cancer who enrolled 2 to 48 months after diagnosis in the Women's Healthy Eating and Living randomized, controlled trial of a high-vegetable, high-fiber, reduced-fat diet.

RESULTS

Being peri- or postmenopausal, using tamoxifen, having low social support or depressive symptoms, and using vitamin E or phytoestrogen supplements were significantly associated cross-sectionally with reporting moderate/severe VMS at enrollment. Increased symptom severity after 12 months was significantly associated with higher body mass index, tamoxifen use, and smoking. Decreased symptom severity at 12 months was significantly associated with high dietary fiber intake; no decrease was observed in women who were peri- or postmenopausal, using tamoxifen, or had low fat intake or low social support.

CONCLUSIONS

High dietary fiber intakes, premenopausal, and high social support were related to decreased severity of VMS 1 year after study enrollment in women recently treated for breast cancer.

Effects of conjugated equine estrogens on breast cancer and mammography screening in postmenopausal women with hysterectomy

CONTEXT

The Women's Health Initiative Estrogen-Aone trial comparing conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) with placebo was stopped early because of an increased stroke incidence and no reduction in risk of coronary heart disease. Preliminary results suggesting possible reduction in breast cancers warranted more detailed analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of CEE on breast cancers and mammographic findings.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Following breast cancer risk assessment, 10,739 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 years with prior hysterectomy were randomized to CEE or placebo at 40 US clinical centers from 1993 through 1998. Mammography screenings and clinical breast examinations were performed at baseline and annually. All breast cancers diagnosed through February 29, 2004, are included.

INTERVENTION

A dose of 0.625 mg/d of CEE or an identical-appearing placebo.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Breast cancer incidence, tumor characteristics, and mammogram findings.

RESULTS

After a mean (SD) follow-up of 7.1 (1.6) years, the invasive breast cancer hazard ratio (HR) for women assigned to CEE vs placebo was 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62-1.04; P = .09) with annualized rates of 0.28% (104 cases in the CEE group) and 0.34% (133 cases in the placebo group). In exploratory analyses, ductal carcinomas (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.52-0.99) were reduced in the CEE group vs placebo group; however, the test for interaction by tumor type was not significant (P = .054). At 1 year, 9.2% of women in the CEE group had mammograms with abnormalities requiring follow-up vs 5.5% in the placebo group (P<.001), a pattern that continued through the trial to reach a cumulative percentage of 36.2% vs 28.1%, respectively (P<.001); however, this difference was primarily in assessments requiring short interval follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with CEE alone for 7.1 years does not increase breast cancer incidence in postmenopausal women with prior hysterectomy. However, treatment with CEE increases the frequency of mammography screening requiring short interval follow-up. Initiation of CEE should be based on consideration of the individual woman's potential risks and benefits.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00000611.

Combined analysis of Women's Health Initiative observational and clinical trial data on postmenopausal hormone treatment and cardiovascular disease

Circumstances in which both randomized controlled trial and observational study data are available provide an important opportunity to identify biases and improve study design and analysis procedures. In addition, joint analyses of data from the two sources can extend clinical trial findings. The US Women's Health Initiative includes randomized controlled trials of use of estrogen by posthysterectomy women and of estrogen plus progestin by women with a uterus, along with corresponding observational study components. In this paper, for coronary heart disease, stroke, and venous thromboembolism, results are first presented from joint analysis of estrogen clinical trial and observational study data to show that residual bias patterns are similar to those previously reported for estrogen plus progestin. These findings support certain combined analyses of the observational data on estrogen and the estrogen plus progestin clinical trial and observational study data to give adjusted observational study estimates of estrogen treatment effects. The resulting treatment effect estimates are compared with corresponding clinical trial estimates, and parallel analyses are also presented for estrogen plus progestin. An application to postmenopausal hormone treatment effects on coronary heart disease among younger women is also provided.

Post-diagnosis weight gain and breast cancer recurrence in women with early stage breast cancer

PURPOSE

To examine whether weight gain after diagnosis of breast cancer affects the risk of breast cancer recurrence.

PATIENT AND METHODS

Patients included 3215 women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer (Stage I >1 cm., II, and IIIA) who were enrolled either in an observational cohort of breast cancer survivors or were part of the comparison group of a dietary intervention trial to prevent breast cancer recurrence. We computed weight change from 1 year prior to diagnosis to study enrollment. Delayed entry Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate associations of categories of weight change with time to recurrence, controlling for known prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Neither moderate (5-10%) nor large (> 10%) weight gain (HR 0.8, 95% CI, 0.6-1.1; HR 0.9, 95% CI, 0.7-1.2, respectively) after breast cancer diagnosis was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence in the early years post-diagnosis (median time of 73.7 months from diagnosis).

CONCLUSION

Our research provides evidence that weight gain commonly seen in the first several years following a breast cancer diagnosis does not increase a woman's risk for breast cancer recurrence in the first 5-7 years post-diagnosis. However, this research does not address the effects of weight gain on overall survival or on the risk of other new cancers, other prognostic outcomes of concern to the breast cancer survivor.

Obesity, hormone therapy, estrogen metabolism and risk of postmenopausal breast cancer

Hormone therapy (HT) and body mass index (BMI) have been associated with postmenopausal breast cancer. Because estrogen metabolism may affect breast cancer risk and can be altered by weight and HT, it might play a role in the HT-BMI-breast cancer associations. We undertook a nested case-control study within the Observational Study of the Women's Health Initiative. Baseline levels of 2- and 16alpha-hydroxy estrone (2-OHE1 and 16alpha-OHE1) were measured in 200 women who developed breast cancer during follow-up and 200 healthy controls matched to cases by ethnicity, enrollment date, clinic site, type of HT and years since menopause. Wilcoxon nonparametric tests were used to compare estrogen metabolite levels between cases and controls. Conditional logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between BMI, estrogen metabolites and breast cancer risk. 16alpha-OHE1 levels were modestly but significantly higher in HT users among cases (median 356 pg/ml vs. 315 pg/ml) and controls (354 pg/ml vs. 298 pg/ml). 2-OHE1 levels were substantially and significantly higher in HT users among cases (369 pg/ml vs. 125 pg/ml) and controls (347 pg/ml vs. 134 pg/ml). For non-HT users only, greater BMI and higher 16alpha-OHE1 levels were individually and jointly associated with increased breast cancer risk (OR for women with high BMI and high 16alpha-OHE1 compared to those with low BMI and low 16alpha-OHE1 = 3.51, 95% CI = 1.34-9.16). No associations between BMI, estrogen metabolism and breast cancer risk were found for HT users. Estrogen metabolism differs according to both BMI and HT use, potentially explaining the interaction between BMI and HT in relation to breast cancer risk.

Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and the risk of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Higher intake of calcium and vitamin D has been associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer in epidemiologic studies and polyp recurrence in polyp-prevention trials. However, randomized-trial evidence that calcium with vitamin D supplementation is beneficial in the primary prevention of colorectal cancer is lacking.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 36,282 postmenopausal women from 40 Women's Health Initiative centers: 18,176 women received 500 mg of elemental calcium as calcium carbonate with 200 IU of vitamin D3 [corrected] twice daily (1000 mg of elemental calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D3) and 18,106 received a matching placebo for an average of 7.0 years. The incidence of pathologically confirmed colorectal cancer was the designated secondary outcome. Baseline levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D were assessed in a nested case-control study.

RESULTS

The incidence of invasive colorectal cancer did not differ significantly between women assigned to calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and those assigned to placebo (168 and 154 cases; hazard ratio, 1.08; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.86 to 1.34; P=0.51), and the tumor characteristics were similar in the two groups. The frequency of colorectal-cancer screening and abdominal symptoms was similar in the two groups. There were no significant treatment interactions with baseline characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

Daily supplementation of calcium with vitamin D for seven years had no effect on the incidence of colorectal cancer among postmenopausal women. The long latency associated with the development of colorectal cancer, along with the seven-year duration of the trial, may have contributed to this null finding. Ongoing follow-up will assess the longer-term effect of this intervention. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00000611.).

Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and the risk of fractures

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of calcium with vitamin D supplementation for preventing hip and other fractures in healthy postmenopausal women remains equivocal.

METHODS

We recruited 36,282 postmenopausal women, 50 to 79 years of age, who were already enrolled in a Women's Health Initiative (WHI) clinical trial. We randomly assigned participants to receive 1000 mg of elemental [corrected] calcium as calcium carbonate with 400 IU of vitamin D3 daily or placebo. Fractures were ascertained for an average follow-up period of 7.0 years. Bone density was measured at three WHI centers.

RESULTS

Hip bone density was 1.06 percent higher in the calcium plus vitamin D group than in the placebo group (P<0.01). Intention-to-treat analysis indicated that participants receiving calcium plus vitamin D supplementation had a hazard ratio of 0.88 for hip fracture (95 percent confidence interval, 0.72 to 1.08), 0.90 for clinical spine fracture (0.74 to 1.10), and 0.96 for total fractures (0.91 to 1.02). The risk of renal calculi increased with calcium plus vitamin D (hazard ratio, 1.17; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.34). Censoring data from women when they ceased to adhere to the study medication reduced the hazard ratio for hip fracture to 0.71 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.52 to 0.97). Effects did not vary significantly according to prerandomization serum vitamin D levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Among healthy postmenopausal women, calcium with vitamin D supplementation resulted in a small but significant improvement in hip bone density, did not significantly reduce hip fracture, and increased the risk of kidney stones. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00000611.).

Low-fat dietary pattern and risk of invasive breast cancer: the Women's Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial

CONTEXT

The hypothesis that a low-fat dietary pattern can reduce breast cancer risk has existed for decades but has never been tested in a controlled intervention trial.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of undertaking a low-fat dietary pattern on breast cancer incidence.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A randomized, controlled, primary prevention trial conducted at 40 US clinical centers from 1993 to 2005.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 48,835 postmenopausal women, aged 50 to 79 years, without prior breast cancer, including 18.6% of minority race/ethnicity, were enrolled.

INTERVENTIONS

Women were randomly assigned to the dietary modification intervention group (40% [n = 19,541]) or the comparison group (60% [n = 29,294]). The intervention was designed to promote dietary change with the goals of reducing intake of total fat to 20% of energy and increasing consumption of vegetables and fruit to at least 5 servings daily and grains to at least 6 servings daily. Comparison group participants were not asked to make dietary changes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Invasive breast cancer incidence.

RESULTS

Dietary fat intake was significantly lower in the dietary modification intervention group compared with the comparison group. The difference between groups in change from baseline for percentage of energy from fat varied from 10.7% at year 1 to 8.1% at year 6. Vegetable and fruit consumption was higher in the intervention group by at least 1 serving per day and a smaller, more transient difference was found for grain consumption. The number of women who developed invasive breast cancer (annualized incidence rate) over the 8.1-year average follow-up period was 655 (0.42%) in the intervention group and 1072 (0.45%) in the comparison group (hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.83-1.01 for the comparison between the 2 groups). Secondary analyses suggest a lower hazard ratio among adherent women, provide greater evidence of risk reduction among women having a high-fat diet at baseline, and suggest a dietary effect that varies by hormone receptor characteristics of the tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

Among postmenopausal women, a low-fat dietary pattern did not result in a statistically significant reduction in invasive breast cancer risk over an 8.1-year average follow-up period. However, the nonsignificant trends observed suggesting reduced risk associated with a low-fat dietary pattern indicate that longer, planned, nonintervention follow-up may yield a more definitive comparison.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00000611.

Low-fat dietary pattern and risk of colorectal cancer: the Women's Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial

CONTEXT

Observational studies and polyp recurrence trials are not conclusive regarding the effects of a low-fat dietary pattern on risk of colorectal cancer, necessitating a primary prevention trial.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of a low-fat eating pattern on risk of colorectal cancer in postmenopausal women.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

The Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial, a randomized controlled trial conducted in 48,835 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 years recruited between 1993 and 1998 from 40 clinical centers throughout the United States.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants were randomly assigned to the dietary modification intervention (n = 19,541; 40%) or the comparison group (n = 29,294; 60%). The intensive behavioral modification program aimed to motivate and support reductions in dietary fat, to increase consumption of vegetables and fruits, and to increase grain servings by using group sessions, self-monitoring techniques, and other tailored and targeted strategies. Women in the comparison group continued their usual eating pattern.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Invasive colorectal cancer incidence.

RESULTS

A total of 480 incident cases of invasive colorectal cancer occurred during a mean follow-up of 8.1 (SD, 1.7) years. Intervention group participants significantly reduced their percentage of energy from fat by 10.7% more than did the comparison group at 1 year, and this difference between groups was mostly maintained (8.1% at year 6). Statistically significant increases in vegetable, fruit, and grain servings were also made. Despite these dietary changes, there was no evidence that the intervention reduced the risk of invasive colorectal cancer during the follow-up period. There were 201 women with invasive colorectal cancer (0.13% per year) in the intervention group and 279 (0.12% per year) in the comparison group (hazard ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.90-1.29). Secondary analyses suggested potential interactions with baseline aspirin use and combined estrogen-progestin use status (P = .01 for each). Colorectal examination rates, although not protocol defined, were comparable between the intervention and comparison groups. Similar results were seen in analyses adjusting for adherence to the intervention.

CONCLUSION

In this study, a low-fat dietary pattern intervention did not reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in postmenopausal women during 8.1 years of follow-up.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00000611.

Low-fat dietary pattern and risk of cardiovascular disease: the Women's Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial

CONTEXT

Multiple epidemiologic studies and some trials have linked diet with cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, but long-term intervention data are needed.

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that a dietary intervention, intended to be low in fat and high in vegetables, fruits, and grains to reduce cancer, would reduce CVD risk.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Randomized controlled trial of 48,835 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 years, of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities, who participated in the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial. Women were randomly assigned to an intervention (19,541 [40%]) or comparison group (29,294 [60%]) in a free-living setting. Study enrollment occurred between 1993 and 1998 in 40 US clinical centers; mean follow-up in this analysis was 8.1 years.

INTERVENTION

Intensive behavior modification in group and individual sessions designed to reduce total fat intake to 20% of calories and increase intakes of vegetables/fruits to 5 servings/d and grains to at least 6 servings/d. The comparison group received diet-related education materials.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease (CHD), fatal and nonfatal stroke, and CVD (composite of CHD and stroke).

RESULTS

By year 6, mean fat intake decreased by 8.2% of energy intake in the intervention vs the comparison group, with small decreases in saturated (2.9%), monounsaturated (3.3%), and polyunsaturated (1.5%) fat; increases occurred in intakes of vegetables/fruits (1.1 servings/d) and grains (0.5 serving/d). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, diastolic blood pressure, and factor VIIc levels were significantly reduced by 3.55 mg/dL, 0.31 mm Hg, and 4.29%, respectively; levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin did not significantly differ in the intervention vs comparison groups. The numbers who developed CHD, stroke, and CVD (annualized incidence rates) were 1000 (0.63%), 434 (0.28%), and 1357 (0.86%) in the intervention and 1549 (0.65%), 642 (0.27%), and 2088 (0.88%) in the comparison group. The diet had no significant effects on incidence of CHD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90-1.06), stroke (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.90-1.15), or CVD (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.92-1.05). Excluding participants with baseline CVD (3.4%), the HRs (95% CIs) for CHD and stroke were 0.94 (0.86-1.02) and 1.02 (0.90-1.17), respectively. Trends toward greater reductions in CHD risk were observed in those with lower intakes of saturated fat or trans fat or higher intakes of vegetables/fruits.

CONCLUSIONS

Over a mean of 8.1 years, a dietary intervention that reduced total fat intake and increased intakes of vegetables, fruits, and grains did not significantly reduce the risk of CHD, stroke, or CVD in postmenopausal women and achieved only modest effects on CVD risk factors, suggesting that more focused diet and lifestyle interventions may be needed to improve risk factors and reduce CVD risk.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00000611.

Design and baseline characteristics of the osteoporotic fractures in men (MrOS) study--a large observational study of the determinants of fracture in older men

Very little information is available to direct the prevention or management of osteoporosis in men. The Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study is a prospective cohort study designed to examine the extent to which fracture risk is related to bone mass, bone geometry, lifestyle, anthropometric and neuromuscular measures, and fall propensity, as well as to determine how fractures affect quality of life in men. The study is also designed to understand how osteoporosis is related to prostate disease. At baseline, participants completed questionnaires regarding medical history, medications, physical activity, diet, alcohol intake, and cigarette smoking. Objective measures of anthropometric, neuromuscular, vision, strength, and cognitive variables were obtained. Skeletal assessments included DEXA, calcaneal ultrasound, and vertebral radiographs. Vertebral and proximal femoral QCT was performed on a subset (65%). Serum, urine, and DNA specimens were collected. After the baseline assessments, a questionnaire is mailed to participants every 4 months to ascertain incident falls, fractures, prostate cancer, and deaths. After an average of 4.5 years, participants are scheduled to return for a second comprehensive visit. Men were eligible if > or =65 years. 5995 men enrolled with a mean (+/-SD) age of 73.7 (+/-5.9) years, 11% of which were minorities. Most rated their health as good/excellent. Few were current smokers, although 59% had smoked previously, and 35% reported no alcohol intake, while 47% consumed at least 2 drinks per week. The mean (range) body mass index was 26.9 kg/m2 (17-56). A non-traumatic fracture after age 50 was reported by 17% of the cohort. The MrOS cohort should provide valuable information concerning the determinants of fracture in men and should help set the stage for the development of effective methods to identify those at risk.

Low-fat dietary pattern and weight change over 7 years: the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial

CONTEXT

Obesity in the United States has increased dramatically during the past several decades. There is debate about optimum calorie balance for prevention of weight gain, and proponents of some low-carbohydrate diet regimens have suggested that the increasing obesity may be attributed, in part, to low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets.

OBJECTIVES

To report data on body weight in a long-term, low-fat diet trial for which the primary end points were breast and colorectal cancer and to examine the relationships between weight changes and changes in dietary components.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Randomized intervention trial of 48,835 postmenopausal women in the United States who were of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities and participated in the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial; 40% (19,541) were randomized to the intervention and 60% (29,294) to a control group. Study enrollment was between 1993 and 1998, and this analysis includes a mean follow-up of 7.5 years (through August 31, 2004).

INTERVENTIONS

The intervention included group and individual sessions to promote a decrease in fat intake and increases in vegetable, fruit, and grain consumption and did not include weight loss or caloric restriction goals. The control group received diet-related education materials.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Change in body weight from baseline to follow-up.

RESULTS

Women in the intervention group lost weight in the first year (mean of 2.2 kg, P<.001) and maintained lower weight than control women during an average 7.5 years of follow-up (difference, 1.9 kg, P<.001 at 1 year and 0.4 kg, P = .01 at 7.5 years). No tendency toward weight gain was observed in intervention group women overall or when stratified by age, ethnicity, or body mass index. Weight loss was greatest among women in either group who decreased their percentage of energy from fat. A similar but lesser trend was observed with increases in vegetable and fruit servings, and a nonsignificant trend toward weight loss occurred with increasing intake of fiber.

CONCLUSION

A low-fat eating pattern does not result in weight gain in postmenopausal women. Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00000611.

Endogenous sex steroids, weight change and rates of hip bone loss in older men: the MrOS study

INTRODUCTION

Lower levels of endogenous sex steroids or declines in these hormones may contribute to the increased rates of bone loss observed in older adults experiencing weight loss. We hypothesized that among older men with weight loss, higher rates of bone loss at the hip would be observed in men with lower baseline bioavailable sex steroids or those with greater declines in these hormones.

METHODS

To test this hypothesis, body weight, hip bone mineral density (BMD) using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and endogenous sex steroids in paired serum samples by sensitive immunoassays were measured at a baseline and at a second examination that was held an average of 1.8 years later in 1267 older men enrolled in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) study.

RESULTS

Men experiencing weight loss had higher rates of hip bone loss than those with stable weight or weight gain within each quartile of baseline sex steroid level [p values for test of trend across weight change categories <0.010 within each quartile of bioavailable estradiol and testosterone and <0.060 within each quartile of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)]. Results were similar when a change in sex steroids was substituted for baseline sex steroids in the analyses. Among men with weight loss, the rate of decline in total hip BMD showed a stepwise increase in magnitude with decreasing baseline bioavailable estradiol (p value for trend <0.040), with increasing baseline SHBG (p value for trend<0.030) and with greater decreases in bioavailable testosterone from baseline (p value for trend <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support the hypothesis that the impact of weight loss in older men on rates of hip bone loss may be increased by the presence of a sex steroid insufficiency.

Estrogens and progestins: background and history, trends in use, and guidelines and regimens approved by the US Food and Drug Administration

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved marketing of diethylstilbestrol in 1941 and conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) in 1942 for treatment of menopausal symptoms. Estrogen sales doubled and tripled in the mid-1960s to mid-1970s, until 1975, when reports of increased endometrial cancer in estrogen users resulted in a dramatic decline. Estrogen use increased again, with evidence of protective effects of progestins on estrogen-induced endometrial changes, combined with a 1982 report that Premarin (conjugated estrogen tablets; Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Philadelphia, PA) retained bone mass and a 1984 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Conference on Osteoporosis statement that estrogens were the most effective means for preventing bone loss. Despite conflicting reports in 1985 regarding the relation between estrogens and coronary heart disease (CHD), many published observations of reduced CHD risk in estrogen users--reinforced by clinical trial findings in 1995 of favorable lipoprotein changes in women assigned to CEE with or without a progestin--promoted increased use through the 1990s. By 2001, approximately 15 million US women were using estrogen therapy, with or without progestins. The 2002 Women's Health Initiative (WHI) report of greater harm than benefit of combined CEE plus a progestin resulted in a precipitous decrease in estrogen and progestin use and a serious reevaluation of menopausal hormone therapy, as well as increased interest in alternative approaches to managing menopausal symptoms, including use of "bioidentical" hormones. FDA guidelines regarding treatment indications for vasomotor symptoms, vaginal atrophy, and osteoporosis prevention have resulted in approval of several estrogen (and progestin) formulations, doses, and routes of administration, thereby providing many options for women who seek conventional therapy.

Combined postmenopausal hormone therapy and cardiovascular disease: toward resolving the discrepancy between observational studies and the Women's Health Initiative clinical trial

Observational research on postmenopausal hormone therapy suggests a 40-50% reduction in coronary heart disease incidence among women using these preparations. In contrast, the Women's Health Initiative clinical trial of estrogen plus progestin found an elevated incidence over a 5.6-year intervention period through July 7, 2002. Toward explaining this discrepancy, the authors analyzed data from this trial, which included 16,608 postmenopausal women aged 50-79 years, and corresponding data from 53,054 women in the Women's Health Initiative observational study, 33% of whom were estrogen-plus-progestin users at baseline. Estrogen-plus-progestin hazard ratio estimates for coronary heart disease, stroke, and venous thromboembolism in the observational study were 39-48% lower than those in the clinical trial following age adjustment. However, hazard ratios tended to decrease with increasing time from initiation of estrogen-plus-progestin use, and observational study hazard ratio estimates are heavily weighted by longer-term use while clinical trial hazard ratio estimates reflect shorter-term use. Following control for time from estrogen-plus-progestin initiation and confounding, hazard ratio estimates were rather similar for the two cohorts, although there was evidence of some remaining difference for stroke. These analyses have implications for both the design and the analysis of observational studies.

Postmenopausal hormone therapy and body composition--a substudy of the estrogen plus progestin trial of the Women's Health Initiative

BACKGROUND

It has been suggested that hormone therapy may help counter undesirable changes in body composition in older women.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to test whether estrogen plus progestin (E+P) therapy favorably affects age-related changes in body composition in postmenopausal women.

DESIGN

The substudy was composed of 835 women from the estrogen plus progestin trial of the Women's Health Initiative who were randomly assigned to receive either E+P therapy (n = 437) or placebo (n = 398). The women had a mean age of 63.1 y and, on average, were 13.8 y past menopause. More than 17% of the participants were from an ethnic minority. No significant differences in baseline body composition (measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) by intervention assignment were observed.

RESULTS

After 3 y of intervention, the women who received active E+P therapy lost less lean soft tissue mass (-0.04 kg) than did the women who received placebo (-0.44 kg; P = 0.001). Additionally, the women in the E+P group had less upper-body fat distribution than did the women in the placebo group (change in ratio of trunk to leg fat mass: -0.025 for the E+P group and 0.004 for the placebo group; P = 0.003). A sensitivity analysis, which was conducted on the women who took > or = 80% of the study medication during the intervention period, corroborated the findings from the intent-to-treat analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

A 3-y E+P intervention significantly reduced both the loss of lean soft tissue mass and the ratio of trunk to leg fat mass in postmenopausal women. However, the effect sizes were small, and whether these changes in body composition lead to significant health benefits remains to be confirmed.

Reanalysis of the Women's Health Initiative oral contraceptive data reveals no evidence of delayed cardiovascular benefit

Reanalysis of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) data regarding prior oral contraceptive use and the effect on cardiovascular disease reveals no evidence of a delayed benefit or harm. The WHI database was not designed to answer this question.

The rise and fall of menopausal hormone therapy

Clinical trials show that hormone therapy (HT) is an effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms and vaginal dryness. HT improves other symptoms including sleep and quality of life in women who have menopause symptoms. In the Women's Health Initiative controlled clinical trials, both estrogen therapy (ET) and estrogen plus progestin therapy (EPT) reduced fracture risk, neither reduced the risk of heart disease, and both increased the risk of stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and dementia. EPT, but not ET, increased breast cancer risk and reduced colon cancer risk. Differences between EPT and ET may reflect chance, baseline differences between the EPT and ET cohorts, or a progestin effect. Studies of younger women and lower HT doses with intermediate endpoints are beginning.

Voluntary weight reduction in older men increases hip bone loss: the osteoporotic fractures in men study

To test the hypothesis that weight loss in older men is associated with increased rates of hip bone loss regardless of adiposity and intention to lose weight, we measured body weight, body composition, hip bone mineral density (BMD), and intention to lose weight in a cohort of 1342 older men enrolled in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) study and followed them prospectively for an average of 1.8 yr for changes in weight and BMD. The adjusted average rate of change in total hip BMD was 0.1%/yr in men with weight gain, -0.3%/yr in men with stable weight, and -1.4%/yr in men with weight loss (test for trend, P < 0.001). Higher rates of hip bone loss were observed in men with weight loss regardless of category of body mass index, body composition, or intention to lose weight. Even among obese (body mass index, > or =30 kg/m2) men trying to lose weight, those with documented voluntary weight reduction experienced an increase in hip bone loss (average rate of change in total hip BMD, 0.5%/yr in those with weight gain, -0.1%/yr in those with stable weight, and -1.7%/yr in those with weight loss; test for trend, P < 0.001). Older men who experience weight loss have increased rates of hip bone loss, even among overweight and obese men undergoing voluntary weight reduction.

Risk of cardiovascular disease by hysterectomy status, with and without oophorectomy: the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women and may vary by hysterectomy (or oophorectomy) status. This study compared CVD risk factors and rates between postmenopausal women who had and had not undergone hysterectomy, with or without oophorectomy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This analysis was conducted on 89 914 women in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Observational Study. Participants reported demographic characteristics, medical history, dietary habits, physical activity, medications, and previous hysterectomy (with or without oophorectomy). Baseline weight, height, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured. CVD events were ascertained during 5.1 years of mean follow-up and adjudicated with standard criteria. Black, Hispanic, and American Indian women had higher rates of hysterectomy than white women (52.9%, 44.6%, and 49.2% versus 40.0%, respectively), and Asian/Pacific Islander women had lower rates (33.8%). Women with a hysterectomy (regardless of oophorectomy status) had an adverse risk profile at baseline compared with women with no hysterectomy, including a higher proportion of hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and lower education, income, and physical activity (all P<0.01). Total mortality and fatal and nonfatal CVD were higher among women with a hysterectomy. Hysterectomy (regardless of oophorectomy status) was a significant predictor of CVD (HR: 1.26, P<0.001). After adjustment for demographic variables and CVD risk factors, the effect was reduced and nonsignificant.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with a hysterectomy had a worse risk profile and higher prevalence and incidence of CVD in this cohort. Multivariate models suggest that hysterectomy is not the major determinant of this outcome; rather, CVD risk may be due to the more adverse initial risk profile of women who had undergone hysterectomy.

Association between reported alcohol intake and cognition: results from the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study

Some, but not all, observational studies have suggested that moderate levels of alcohol intake may be associated with improved cognitive function and reduced risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The authors of this 1996-2002 study used data from the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study of postmenopausal combination hormone therapy to assess cross-sectional and prospective associations of self-reported alcohol intake with cognitive function. Across 39 US academic medical centers, 4,461 community-dwelling women aged 65-79 years were followed an average of 4.2 years with annual Modified Mini-Mental State Examinations and standardized protocols for detecting mild cognitive impairment and probable dementia. Compared with no intake, intake of > or =1 drink per day was associated with higher baseline Modified Mini-Mental State Examination scores (p < 0.001) and a covariate-adjusted odds ratio of 0.40 (95% confidence interval: 0.28, 0.99) for significant declines in cognitive function. Associations with incident probable dementia and mild cognitive impairment were of similar magnitude but were not statistically significant after covariate adjustment. Associations with intakes of <1 drink per day were intermediate. Moderate levels of alcohol intake may be associated with better cognition and reduced risk of significant cognitive decline; however, confounding associations with unmeasured factors cannot be ruled out.