Hormone therapy use in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging: a cross-sectional analysis

Associations Between Age at Menopause, Vascular Risk, and 3-Year Cognitive Change in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Mounting evidence supports sex differences in Alzheimer disease (AD) risk. Vascular and hormonal factors may together contribute to AD risk in female adults. We investigated whether age at menopause, vascular risk, and history of hormone therapy (HT) containing estrogens together influence cognition over a 3-year follow-up period. We hypothesized that earlier menopause and elevated vascular risk would have a synergistic association with lower cognitive scores at follow-up and that HT containing estrogens would attenuate this synergistic association to preserve cognition.

METHODS

We used data from postmenopausal female participants and age-matched male participants in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Vascular risk was calculated using a summary score of elevated blood pressure, antihypertensive medications, elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and obesity. Cognition was measured with a global cognitive composite at baseline and 3-year follow-up. Linear models tested independent and interactive associations of age at menopause, vascular risk, and HT history with cognition at 3-year follow-up, adjusting for baseline cognition, baseline age, years of education, and test language (English/French).

RESULTS

We included 8,360 postmenopausal female participants (mean age at baseline = 65.0 ± 8.53 years, mean age at menopause = 50.1 ± 4.62 years) and 8,360 age-matched male participants for comparison. There was an interaction between age at menopause and vascular risk, such that earlier menopause and higher vascular risk were synergistically associated with lower cognitive scores at follow-up (β = 0.013, 95% CI 0.001-0.025, p = 0.03). In stratified analyses, vascular risk was associated with lower cognitive scores in female participants with earlier menopause (menopausal ages 35-48 years; β = -0.044, 95% CI -0.066 to -0.022, p < 0.001), but not average (ages 49-52 years; β = -0.007, 95% CI -0.027 to 0.012, p = 0.46) or later menopause (ages 53-65 years; β = 0.003, 95% CI -0.020 to 0.025, p = 0.82). The negative association of vascular risk with cognition in female participants with earlier menopause was stronger than the equivalent association in age-matched male participants. HT history did not further modify the synergistic association of age at menopause and vascular risk with follow-up cognition (β = -0.005, 95% CI -0.032 to 0.021, p = 0.69).

DISCUSSION

Endocrine and vascular processes may synergistically contribute to increased risk of cognitive decline in female adults. These findings have implications for the development of sex-specific dementia prevention strategies.

Prevalence and impact of vasomotor symptoms due to menopause among women in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and Nordic Europe: a cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the prevalence and impact of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS), related treatment patterns, and experiences in women.

METHODS

The primary objective was to assess the prevalence of moderate to severe menopause-related VMS among postmenopausal women aged 40 to 65 years in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and four Nordic European countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden) using an online survey. Secondary objectives assessed impact of VMS among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with moderate to severe VMS using the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System sleep disturbances assessment, and questions regarding treatment patterns and attitudes toward symptoms and available treatments.

RESULTS

Among 12,268 postmenopausal women, the prevalence of moderate to severe VMS was about 15.6% and was highest in Brazil (36.2%) and lowest in Nordic Europe (11.6%). Secondary analyses, conducted among 2,176 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, showed that VMS affected quality of life across all domains measured and impaired work activities by as much as 30%. Greater symptom severity negatively affected sleep. Many women sought medical advice, but most (1,238 [56.9%]) were not receiving treatment for their VMS. The majority (>70%) considered menopause to be a natural part of aging. Those treated with prescription hormone therapy and nonhormone medications reported some safety/efficacy concerns.

CONCLUSIONS

Among women from seven countries, moderate to severe menopause-related VMS were widespread, varied by region, and largely impaired quality of life, productivity, and/or sleep.

Exogenous female sex steroid hormones and new-onset asthma in women: a matched case-control study

BACKGROUND

Evidence on the role of exogenous female sex steroid hormones in asthma development in women remains conflicting. We sought to quantify the potential causal role of hormonal contraceptives and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) in the development of asthma in women.

METHODS

We conducted a matched case-control study based on the West Sweden Asthma Study, nested in a representative cohort of 15,003 women aged 16-75 years, with 8-year follow-up (2008-2016). Data were analyzed using Frequentist and Bayesian conditional logistic regression models.

RESULTS

We included 114 cases and 717 controls. In Frequentist analysis, the odds ratio (OR) for new-onset asthma with ever use of hormonal contraceptives was 2.13 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-4.38). Subgroup analyses showed that the OR increased consistently with older baseline age. The OR for new-onset asthma with ever MHT use among menopausal women was 1.17 (95% CI 0.49-2.82). In Bayesian analysis, the ORs for ever use of hormonal contraceptives and MHT were, respectively, 1.11 (95% posterior interval [PI] 0.79-1.55) and 1.18 (95% PI 0.92-1.52). The respective probability of each OR being larger than 1 was 72.3% and 90.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

Although use of hormonal contraceptives was associated with an increased risk of asthma, this may be explained by selection of women by baseline asthma status, given the upward trend in the effect estimate with older age. This indicates that use of hormonal contraceptives may in fact decrease asthma risk in women. Use of MHT may increase asthma risk in menopausal women.

Determinants of Hormone Replacement Therapy Knowledge and Current Hormone Replacement Therapy Use

Background: The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat menopausal symptoms has declined since the early 2000s, and little is known about the contemporary determinants of use in the United States. We aim to understand women's knowledge of HRT as a treatment of menopausal symptoms and to assess the factors associated with HRT use. Materials and Methods: Weighted multivariate logistic regression models evaluated the correlates of high HRT knowledge and current HRT use among a sample of 2,548 women aged ≥45 years who participated in an online survey between August 2019 and May 2020. Results: In total, 82% of the women surveyed reported experiencing one or more menopausal symptoms, yet only 10.5% reported using HRT. Only 33% reported high HRT knowledge. The odds of reporting high HRT knowledge increased with increasing age. Racial, ethnic minority women were less likely to report high HRT knowledge (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.5-0.9). Hispanic and non-Hispanic women of other racial and ethnic groups were less likely to use HRT compared with non-Hispanic White women (AOR = 0.3; 95% CI = 0.1-0.6) (AOR = 0.4; CI = 0.2-0.9), respectively. Women experiencing irregular periods were less likely to report current HRT use (AOR = 0.1, 95% CI = 0.4-0.7). Compared with past users, never users appeared to be more risk averse, and reported concern over HRT risks and side effects as reasons for nonuse. Conclusions: Many factors impact women's perceived HRT knowledge level and to a lesser extent HRT use. Future research should better define the most important factors influencing decisions to use HRT for symptom relief.

Menopause hormone therapy and sarcodynapenia: the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

OBJECTIVE

To study the association between menopause hormone therapy (MHT) and sarcodynapenia in women from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 10,834 eligible postmenopausal women. The exposure was prior or current use of MHT (never, ever). Sarcopenia was defined as an appendicular lean mass less than 5.72 kg/m 2 using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and dynapenia as a grip strength less than 20.4 kg. Sarcodynapenia was defined as the concomitant presence of sarcopenia and dynapenia. Poisson regression analysis produced prevalence ratios (PR) for the associations between MHT use and sarcodynapenia adjusted for age at interview, education, study site, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and body mass index. Additional analyses were conducted according to duration of MHT (5 years or less, more than 5 years), age categories (45-64 years, 65 years or older), and physical activity level as per the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly score (less active, more active).

RESULTS

Menopause hormone therapy was not associated with sarcodynapenia (PR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.89-1.35). When subdivided by years of use and physical activity, relative to no MHT use, MHT use for 5 years or less was associated with a higher prevalence of sarcodynapenia among less active women (PR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.11-2.21) and with a lower prevalence among those more active (PR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.39-0.92). The use of MHT for more than 5 years was not associated with sarcodynapenia.

CONCLUSIONS

Menopause hormone therapy for 5 years or less is associated with a lower prevalence of sarcodynapenia among physically active women and with a higher prevalence of sarcodynapenia in those less active. Strategies to promote an active lifestyle in all postmenopausal women, including MHT users, are needed to attain benefits for musculoskeletal health.

Brief Report: Undertreated Midlife Symptoms for Women Living With HIV Linked to Lack of Menopause Discussions With Care Providers

BACKGROUND

Increasingly, women living with HIV are entering menopause (ie, cessation of menses for ≥1 year) and experiencing midlife symptoms. Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is first-line therapy for bothersome hot flashes and early menopause (ie, before age 45 years); however, its use in women living with HIV is poorly described. We conducted a cross-sectional assessment of MHT uptake and barriers to use in this group.

SETTING

This study was conducted across 3 Canadian provinces from 2015 to 2017.

METHODS

Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women living with HIV (35 years or older) in the Canadian HIV Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study who answered questions related to MHT use were included. Univariable/multivariable logistic regression evaluated factors associated with MHT use, adjusted for age and contraindications.

RESULTS

Among 464 women, 47.8% (222 of 464) had a first-line indication for MHT; however, only 11.8% (55 of 464) reported ever using MHT and 5.6% (26 of 464) were current users. Only 44.8% had ever discussed menopause with their care provider despite almost all women having regular HIV care (97.8%). African/Caribbean/Black women had lower unadjusted odds of MHT treatment compared with White women [odds ratio (OR) 0.42 (0.18-0.89); P = 0.034]. Those who had discussed menopause with their care provider had higher odds of treatment [OR 3.13 (1.74-5.86); P < 0.001]. In adjusted analyses, only women having had a menopause discussion remained significantly associated with MHT use [OR 2.97 (1.62-5.61); P < 0.001].

CONCLUSION

Women living with HIV are seldom prescribed MHT despite frequent indication. MHT uptake was associated with care provider-led menopause discussions underscoring the need for care provider education on menopause management within HIV care.

Menopausal hormone therapy: Characterising users in an Australian national cross-sectional study

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is effective for menopausal symptoms, however, its use is also associated with risks of serious health conditions including breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer, stroke and venous thromboembolism. MHT-related health risks increase with longer durations of use. In Australia, while overall MHT use fell when risk-related findings were published in 2002, a significant number of women continue using MHT long-term. We aimed to examine socio-demographic, health-related and lifestyle characteristics in relation to post-2002 MHT use, and to compare use for <5 and ≥5 years. Data from 1,561 participants from an Australian, national, cross-sectional survey of women aged 50–69 in 2013 were analysed. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using logistic regression for characteristics related to overall MHT use post-2002 and multinomial logistic regression for associations between MHT duration of use [never/<5 years/≥5 years] and personal characteristics, adjusting for sociodemographic, reproductive, health and lifestyle factors. Post-2002 MHT use was associated with increasing age (p-trend<0.001), hysterectomy versus no hysterectomy (OR:2.55, 95%CI = 1.85–3.51), bilateral oophorectomy vs no oophorectomy (OR:1.66, 95%CI = 1.09–2.53), and ever- versus never-use of therapies other than MHT for menopausal symptoms (OR:1.93, 95%CI = 1.48–2.57). Women with prior breast cancer (OR:0.35, 95%CI = 0.17–0.74) and with more children (p-trend = 0.034) were less likely than other women to use MHT. Prior hysterectomy was more strongly associated with MHT use for ≥5 years than for <5 years (p = 0.004). Ever-use of non-MHT menopausal therapies was associated with MHT use for <5 years but not with longer-term use (p = 0.004). This study reinforces the need for MHT users and their clinicians to re-evaluate continued MHT use on an ongoing basis.

Age at natural menopause and physical functioning in postmenopausal women: the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between categories of age at natural menopause (ANM) and gait speed (slowness) and grip strength (weakness), common measures of physical functioning in older women.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, which included participants from seven cities across Canada collected in 2012. The sample was restricted to women who reported to have entered menopause (N = 9,920). Women who had a hysterectomy before menopause were excluded since the age at which this surgical procedure was performed was not available. ANM was categorized into five groups: less than 40 (premature), 40 to 44 (early), 45 to 49, 50 to 54, and more than 54. We conducted linear regressions to assess the association between ANM and gait speed (m/s) and grip strength (kg) adjusting for participant age, education, body mass index, smoking, use of hormone therapy, height, and province of residence.

RESULTS

Mean ANM was 49.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 49.7-50.0), with 3.8% of women having a premature menopause; the average gait speed was 0.98 m/s (standard deviation: 0.22), the average grip strength was 26.6 kg (standard deviation: 6.39). Compared to women with ANM of 50 to 54, women with premature menopause had 0.054 m/s (95% CI -0.083, -0.026) lower gait speed when adjusting for age and study site. In the fully adjusted model, the association was attenuated, 0.032 m/s (95% CI -0.060, -0.004). ANM was not associated with grip strength.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that premature menopause (<40 years) may be associated with lower gait speed (slowness) among Canadian women. No association was observed between ANM and grip strength. Future studies should include a life course approach to evaluate whether social and biological pathways modify the association between age at menopause and physical function in populations from different contexts.

Estimates of the current and future burden of cancer attributable to alcohol consumption in Canada

Alcohol consumption is associated with elevated risk of oropharyngeal, laryngeal, esophageal, colon, rectal, breast, liver, pancreatic and stomach cancers. The purpose of this analysis was to provide national and provincial estimates of the number and proportion of cancers attributable to alcohol consumption in Canada and to project the numbers of potentially avoidable cancers using possible intervention scenarios. We estimated the population attributable risk (PAR) for cancers associated with alcohol consumption levels (drinks/day) using: i) relative risks obtained from the World Cancer Research Fund/(WCRF) reports or meta-analyses, ii) alcohol consumption (prevalence) data from the 2003 Canadian Community Health Survey, and iii) cancer incidence data from the 2015 Canadian Cancer Registry. We used potential impact fractions (PIFs) to estimate the future avoidable cancer burden under four counterfactual scenarios: (1) lowering alcohol consumption to meet the WCRF low risk guidelines, (2) meeting the Canada's Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines, (3) reducing daily intake by one drink/day, and (4) decreasing consumption to 50% of the 2003 levels by 2032. We estimated that 3282 incident cancer cases (5.2% of alcohol-associated cancers and 1.8% of all cancers) diagnosed in Canada in 2015 were attributable to alcohol consumption. At the current consumption levels, alcohol-attributable cancers are expected to increase to 10,122 (8.8% of cases among alcohol-associated cancers) by 2042. Under the best case scenario, reducing alcohol consumption to 50% of 2003 levels by 2032, could prevent 70,261 cases by 2042. Strategies that effectively reduce alcohol consumption at a population level can have a meaningful impact on reducing the cancer burden in Canada.