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Effect of hormone replacement therapy on intervertebral disc height
T E J Stevenson1, M P Brincat2, J Pollacco2
1Institute of Naval Medicine, Gosport, UK.
Climacteric : the Journal of the International Menopause Society
|January 10, 2023
Summary
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) significantly increased intervertebral disc height in postmenopausal women. This finding supports HRT
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology and Bone Health
- Menopause and Aging Research
Background:
- Intervertebral discs function as crucial shock absorbers, mitigating vertebral fracture risk.
- Estrogen loss post-menopause is linked to reduced disc height, while hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may preserve it.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of HRT on intervertebral disc height.
- To analyze HRT's effect on disc height using data from a prospective randomized clinical trial on bone density.
Main Methods:
- A post-hoc analysis of 355 healthy postmenopausal women (mean age 55.4 years).
- Participants were randomized to receive oral HRT (1mg or 2mg estradiol plus dydrogesterone) or placebo for 2 years.
- Intervertebral disc height (T12-L3) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Lunar DPX) at baseline and 2-year follow-up.
Main Results:
- HRT with both 1mg and 2mg estradiol significantly increased total disc height compared to baseline (p=0.015 and p=0.006, respectively).
- No significant increase in disc height was observed in the placebo group (p=0.096).
- Between-group differences in disc height changes were not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- Findings align with previous research indicating a beneficial effect of estrogen on intervertebral discs.
- The observed increase in disc height with HRT may contribute to its efficacy in preventing vertebral fractures.
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