Member Alert Concerning NIH Announcement on Estrogen-alone Arm of WHI

This statement was developed by an AACE Rapid Response Team comprised of:
Rhoda H. Cobin, MD, FACE
Michael Kleerekoper, MD, FACE
Neil F. Goodman, MD, FACE
Steven M. Petak, MD, JD, FACE

AACE wishes to alert its members and their patients about the recent announcement by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of the termination of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen-alone arm.

On March 2n, the NIH instructed participants in the estrogen-alone study of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), a large multi-center trial, to stop taking their study pills and to begin the follow-up phase of the study.

After following 11,000 healthy women with a previous hysterectomy on estrogen-alone for seven (7) years, the study observed no effect on the risk of heart disease in this population. It was reported that there was no increase in the risk of breast cancer while the risk of hip fracture was significantly decreased. As with the previously reported estrogen/progestin arm of the study, the use of estrogen alone was associated with an increase in stroke frequency of 8 per 10,000 per year.

AACE maintains its current position that women early in menopause experiencing symptoms, likely to be related to their menopause, should consult with their physicians to determine if hormone replacement therapy is the best choice for them. Clinical trials have proved the benefits of estrogen in the relief of menopausal symptoms. AACE is reassured by the current data regarding cardiovascular and breast disease that symptomatic women early in menopause may continue to be treated for their symptoms. AACE advises women to discuss their individual menopausal needs thoroughly with their physicians. The AACE Reproductive Medicine Committee is currently revising its menopause guidelines.

For more information on the NIH recent findings, visit http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/mar2004/nhlbi-02.htm

For more information on AACE position on WHI, visit http://www.aace.com/clin/guidelines/whims.php