Advancing Postmenopausal Preventive Therapy (APPT), a progestogen-free estrogen therapy to potentially reduce atherosclerosis: a randomized-controlled trial

目的

Cardiovascular disease (narrowed or blocked blood vessels) is the leading cause of death, killing 1 of every 2 women. Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) is the major cause of cardiovascular disease. More than 90% of deaths due to atherosclerosis occur after menopause when a women’s production of estrogen disappears. Research over the last decade has shown that estrogen provides potential cardiovascular benefits with low-risk to women. However, most women have a uterus that requires co-treatment with a progestogen (Provera, progesterone, etc.) to prevent thickening of the uterine lining due to estrogen. Compared to estrogen-alone therapy, traditional progestogen-estrogen therapy appears to have a greater health risk for women.   

The goal of this study is to learn whether a new type of progestogen-free hormone therapy, one that protects the uterus differently so that estrogen can be delivered without risk from progestogen, has beneficial effects on hardening of the arteries in postmenopausal women. Participants in the study will be randomized, split into two groups, to receive either an FDA-approved medication designed to deliver estrogen without a progestogen (Bazedoxifene /estrogen) or placebo, a pill that does not contain an active ingredient.  

Recent studies may not have answered all your questions about whether hormone therapy is right for you. This is a chance to help get answers and to contribute to the advancement of women's health in a carefully monitored setting.

关键词: atherosclerosis, heart disease, menopause, women, estrogen, intervention

研究地点

University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Atherosclerosis Research Unit, 2250 Alcazar Street, CSC, Suite 132, Los Angeles, CA 90033

 
  • Women
Age icon
45 - 59
 
 

Eligibility Requirements:  Postmenopausal women, 45-59 years of age, who have not had a hysterectomy and do not have heart disease or diabetes.

Call us at 323-442-2257, between the hours of  8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.

Visit our website at aru.usc.edu 

Email us at appt@usc.edu 

要么
 

涉及什么?

学习篇幅
  • 2 - 3 years

访问次数
  • 18 - 24 visits. After qualifying for the study, visits take place every month for the first 6 months and then every 2 months for the remainder of participation

处方
  • Bazedoxifene 20 mg/conjugated estrogen 0.45 mg

  • Placebo

程序
  • Pap smear

  • Non-invasive ultrasound scanning of the neck arteries

  • Blood pressure measurements

  • Mammogram

  • Cholesterol measurements

  • Blood chemistries and cell counts

  • Cognitive (memory, thinking, mental function) testing

  • Electrocardiograms (EKGs)

  • Pelvic examination

Compensation
  • None

医疗费用保险
  • Study-related tests are covered

Why participate?

Women, particularly postmenopausal women, are typically underrepresented in research. This is your chance to contribute to medical science.

合格

一定有


  • Woman
  • 45-59 years of age
  • Postmenopausal

不能拥有


  • Hysterectomy
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes

About This Study

To conduct a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effects of tissue selective estrogen complex (TSEC) therapy on the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis in healthy postmenopausal women who have not had a hysterectomy. A total of 360 women 45-59 years of age without clinical cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus will be randomized to Bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogen (BZA 20 mg/CE 0.45 mg) or placebo. Randomized treatment will be 2 to 3 years. Atherosclerosis, measured non-invasively as rate of change in carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) in computer image processed B‑mode ultrasonograms, will be the primary trial endpoint. Three composite cognitive measures will be used to test for randomized treatment group differences in cognition; each composite will be considered as co-endpoints.

Study Team

Photohandler
Principal Investigator
Howard Neil Hodis, MD

For questions about this study, contact:

  • Dr. Howard N Hodis
  • Atherosclerosis Research Unit, 2250 Alcazar Street, Suite 132, Los Angeles, CA 90033
  • 323-442-2257
  • APPT@usc.edu

Research study materials

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