Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been studied as a protective factor for cognitive decline and dementia. However, study findings have been inconsistent. Variation in study findings may be due to differences in study designs, small sample size, exposure ascertainment, diagnostic procedures, and inclusion of relevant risk and confounding factors. Moreover, there may be significant differences between the characteristics of women choosing to use HRT and those opting not to use the therapy. Using a large-scale, population-based, cohort study, we examined the relationship between HRT and cognition while paying particular attention to moderating and confounding factors. The main outcomes of interest were to assess differences in risk for cognitive impairments and dementia between HRT user and never user groups; examine HRTs impact on age of onset of dementia; and explore the relationship between duration of HRT and cognitive decline. Logistic regression and Cox Proportional Hazards models were used to test HRT as a predictor for cognitive impairments, Alzheimers disease and vascular dementia, as well as to assess the effect of duration. Linear regression was used to consider the putative relationship between age at onset of dementia and HRT status. HRT use was found to be a statistically significant predictor for Alzheimers disease and vascular dementia. Overall, HRT use did not significantly predict for milder cognitive impairments, although significant interaction effects indicate that HRT may be protective at least for specific sub-groups of women. No durational effect was found for any of the outcomes. Neither did HRT appear to predict for age at onset of dementia. Notably, a large proportion of women in the current study reported using estrogen-only hormone supplements, and therefore generalizations regarding the findings are likely limited to estrogen-only preparations, not combination estrogen-progestin therapies. These findings must be considered within the context of the other known and potential risks and benefits that HRT may afford.

Introduction: About 80% of those affected by osteoporosis are postmenopausal women. Therefore, identifying beneficial or harmful dietary factors for postmenopausal osteoporosis may have a significant public health impact. Objectives: The overall objective of this thesis was to examine the relations between various dietary factors and bone health in postmenopausal women aged ≥ 45 years using different analytical approaches. Methods: First, the associations between fruit and vegetables (F&V) intake and indicators of bone health were assessed using a systematic review approach. Electronic databases were searched and peer-reviewed observational and interventional studies published in English with F&V intake as a main dietary exposure were included. Data selection, extraction and evaluation of risk of bias were performed independently by two reviewers. Second, the associations between an overall diet quality index (HEI-2005) and its components with bone turnover markers (BTMs) were examined. Third, the relationships between alpha-tocopherol intake, serum alpha- and gamma-tocopherol, two concentration biomarkers of vitamin E intake, and their ratio and BTMs were assessed. For the second and third studies, cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002 were used. Weighted multiple regression models with adjustments for relevant confounders were used to examine the relationship between exposures and serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), a biomarker of bone formation, and urinary N-Telopeptides/Creatinine (uNTx/Cr), a biomarker of bone resorption. Results: There was significant between-study heterogeneity in design, definition and amount of F&V intake, outcomes, analyses and reporting of results in the eight included studies. Overall, cross-sectional and case-control analyses reported protective associations between F&V intake and bone health, whereas interventional and prospective cohort analyses did not. There were no associations between total HEI-2005 scores and BTMs. However, the Milk Group component of HEI-2005 had a significant inverse relationship with uNTx/Cr. Higher serum gamma-tocopherol and lower ratio of serum alpha- to gamma-tocopherol were associated with higher BAP concentrations but had no associations with NTx/Cr concentrations. Conclusions: The results confirm the existing knowledge that a diet with adequate intake of dairy may reduce bone loss. Further research is needed to examine the potential anabolic effects of gamma-tocopherol on bone in postmenopausal women.

Bakgrund: Bröstcancer är den vanligaste cancerformen hos kvinnor i Sverige. Under 2008 fick ca 7300 kvinnor diagnosen bröstcancer och av dessa var 72 procent 55 år och äldre. Tidigare forskning har visat att postmenopausala kvinnor som är 55 år och äldre upplever att de inte får tillräckligt stöd från vårdpersonal och närstående. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att beskriva hur postmenopausala kvinnor med bröstcancer upplever olika former av stöd och hur dessa påverkar deras hälsa. Metod: Vi använde oss av en litteraturöversikt, med 16 kvalitativa och kvantitativa vetenskapliga artiklar som undersöktes och analyserades enligt Friberg (2006). Resultat: Dataanalysen av artiklarna resulterade i fem teman och dessa är: emotionellt stöd, vårdpersonalens stöd, närståendes stöd, religiöst stöd och informationsstöd. Vi fann att dessa stöd är viktiga för postmenopausala kvinnors hälsa och livskvalitet. Slutsats: Olika typer av stöd från närstående och vårdpersonal upplevs som viktiga för postmenopausala kvinnor med bröstcancer. Mer forskning behövs för att få en bättre förståelse för vilka stöd som är viktiga för postmenopausala kvinnor med bröstcancer och hur dessa påverkar deras hälsa. / Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Sweden.  In 2008 there were about 7300 women diagnosed with breast cancer and of these 72 per cent were 55 years or older. Earlier research showed that postmenopausal women with breast cancer aged 55 years and older felt that they were not getting enough support from health professionals and relatives. Aim: The aim of this study is to describe how postmenopausal women with breast cancer experience different types of support and how these affect their health. Method: A literature review was used in which 16 qualitative and quantitative studies were examined and analyzed according to Friberg (2006). Results: The data analysis of the articles revealed five themes and these are: emotional support, health professionals` support, relatives´ support, religious support and information support. We found that these supports are important for postmenopausal women´s health and quality of life. Conclusions: Different types of support from relatives and health professionals are perceived as important for postmenopausal women with breast cancer. More research is needed to get a better understanding of which supports that are important for postmenopausal women with breast cancer and how it affects their health.

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of body composition and fat distribution on C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6); determine the differences in CRP and IL-6 among HT users and non-users; determine the effect of 12-months of resistance training and resulting body composition changes on IL-6 and CRP; determine the relationship between BMD and IL-6, CRP and creatine kinase (CK). Sedentary women (N=208, age 44-66, 3-10 years postmenopausal) taking HT (N=106) or not taking HT (N=102) were randomly assigned to resistance training: HTexercise (N=55), HT-no exercise (N=45), no HT-exercise (N=53), and no HT-no exercise (N=49). The program included three weekly 60-75 minute sessions of 8 exercises performed in 2 sets of 6-8 repetitions at 70-80% of 1RM. Total fat mass (TFM), lean soft tissue mass (LSTM) and BMD were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Abdominal fat mass (AFM) was assessed using DXA region of interest. For each subject, baseline and 1- year IL-6, CRP and CK were measured. High TFM, high IL-6 and HT use were independently associated with high CRP levels. A stronger relationship between IL-6 and AFM compared to TFM was found in HT users. High TFM and LSTM were significantly related to higher IL-6 levels. A stronger relationship between CRP and AFM compared to TFM was found in HT non-users. CRP was higher in HT users (5.47±5.40 mg/L) compared to non-users (2.70±3.05 mg/L) and was higher in oral (5.76±5.29 mg/L opposed; 6.14±5.97 mg/L unopposed) compared to transdermal HT users (2.65±4.44 mg/L). CRP increased slightly (p=0.077) in exercisers (0.54 ± 0.34 mg/L) not taking HT compared to controls (-0.39 ± 0.35 mg/L). Reductions in TFM were associated with reductions in IL-6 and CRP in HT users. CK was positively associated to all BMD sites at baseline. IL-6 change was positively associated with change in femur neck BMD. CRP change was inversely correlated with change in lumbar spine BMD. CK change was directly related to change in total body and femur trochanter BMD. In conclusion, reductions in TFM were accompanied by reductions in IL-6 and CRP; AFM was more strongly correlated with inflammation than TFM; 12-months of resistance training did not decrease IL-6 or CRP; IL-6 and CK were positively related to BMD, and CRP was inversely associated with BMD.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:50:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-11-25. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-08-11T03:25:59Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 Publico-11912.pdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Introdução: A endocrinoterapia é uma das principais responsáveis pela redução de mortalidade do câncer de mama. Biomarcadores preditivos de resposta celular precoce vêm sendo estudados com intuito de prever precocemente a hormonioresistência. Freqüentes deleções e mutações têm sido descritas no gene p16 em diversos tipos de tumores, mas pouco se sabe sobre seu papel no câncer de mama e seu comportamento após endocrinoterapia neoadjuvante com tamoxifeno e anastrozol. Objetivos: Estudar a expressão do p16 e dos receptores de estrogênio e progesterona (RE e RP) em pacientes na pós - menopausa com carcinoma de mama RE e/ ou RP (+) após curto período (26 dias) de tratamento com tamoxifeno, anastrozol e placebo. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo randomizado duplo-cego realizado com 58 pacientes dos Hospitais Pérola Byington e São Paulo da UNIFESP (São Paulo - Brasil) com carcinoma ductal infiltrativo de mama, nos estádios II e III, que no período pré-operatório foram subdivididas em três grupos: P (placebo, N=25), T (tamoxifeno 20mg/dia, N=15) e A (anastrozol 1mg/dia, N=18). A biópsia foi realizada no momento do diagnóstico e após a cirurgia definitiva (26º dia) e os tumores foram isolados por micro-arranjos teciduais. O estudo imunoistoquímico foi realizado com anticorpos para p16 (Dako- OA315), RE (Neomarkers-M7047), RP (Dako- M3569). Realizou-se o estudo semiquantitativo utilizando-se os critérios de Allred e o estudo estatístico pelo teste paramétrico de Anova. Resultados: A positividade do p16 variou de 22 para 17%, respectivamente pré e pós tratamento com anastrozol; de 8 para 4% no grupo placebo e não houve variação, com 7% de positividade, no grupo que recebeu tamoxifeno. A comparação entre grupos e tempos não apresentou relação significativa para o p16 (p=0,17). Não foi encontrada correlação entre a positividade do p16 e o status hormonal (RE e RP). Conclusão: Não houve diferença estatística significante entre os três grupos estudados. Futuros estudos com métodos moleculares poderão esclarecer dúvidas suscitadas a respeito do tempo de exposição à droga necessária para interferir nos biomarcadores e proteínas. / Background: Frequent deletions or mutations of the INK4 gene, which encodes the cyclin-dependent kinase 4 inhibitor p16INK4a, have been documented in various human cancers, but little is known about the role of this tumor suppressor gene in primary breast cancer and there is a lack in the literature about its expression behavior in neoadjuvant endocrinetherapy with tamoxifen or anastrozole. Objective: Analysis of p16INK4a expression in patients with invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC) prior to tamoxifen and anastrozole neoadjuvant treatment and possible correlation between predictive and prognostical factors – estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR). Methods: We examined p16INK4a mRNA expression and its relationship with short period (26 days) neoadjuvant endocrine therapy with tamoxifen and anastrozole in 58 primary breast cancers with palpable ER-positive IDC. They were double-blind randomized in three neoadjuvant treatment groups for 21 days: Anastrozole 1mg/day (n= 17), Placebo (n=25) and Tamoxifen 20mg/day (n=15). Biomarkers status (ER, PgR and p16) were obtained by comparing single immunohistochemical evaluation of pre and post-surgery samples using Allred’s method. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software for Windows. Results: Variation in p16 was 22% to 17% in anastrozole group, 8% to 4% in placebo group and there was no variation in tamoxifen group, standing in 7%. There was no significant statistical diference in p16INK4a expression among the three groups (p=0.17). Variation in p16 was 12% to 9% (p<0.05) when considering the three groups together. There was a significant decrease of p16 expression in pre and post surgery results. There was no significant statistical correlation between p16 expression and hormonal status (RE and RP). Conclusions: There was no significant statistical diference in p16INK4a expression among the three groups. There was a significant statistical decrease in p16INK4a expression when compared pre and post surgery values. These findings could indicate that expression of p16 and variation in pre and post surgery samples are associated with hormone responsiveness and mechanisms of resistance. There were no significant statistical correlation between p16 expression and hormonal status (RE and RP). Further studies are necessary to understand their functional interrelationships and whether high p16INK4a expression may be associated with a lack of hormone responsiveness in breast cancer. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

Body mass index (IMC) is a major determinant of bone mineral density (BMD) and obesity is widely believed to protect against fracture. Nevertheless, the higher BMD associated with obesity may just reflect the adaptation related to the increased mechanical demands on the skeleton in these subjects. The protection that it confers against fracture may not be greater than the protection that lower BMD confers in leaner individuals, particularly in view of the greater prevalence of trauma related to falls in the obese population. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the association between obesity and bone fractures in postmenopausal women in the city of Santa Maria/RS. This was a cross-sectional study carried out in the city of Santa Maria, parallel 29°, Southern Brazil, from 1st March to 31 August 2013. Were included to this survey post-menopausal women age, 55 years or over, who attend a General Practice Surgery (UBS) of its territory. Women with cognitive impairment, communication disabilities and in the menacme were excluded. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire that covered domains about patients characteristics, fracture history, risk factors for fractures and medication use. Overall, one thousand and fifty seven women were eligible for analysis. BMI was assessed in 973 women, in which 39.6% had a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more. A history of prevalent fracture was present in 17.4% obese women and 16.2% of non-obese women (P = 0.622). There was no difference between the BMI of the postmenopausal women with fractures and postmenopausal women without prevalent fractures. In addition, obesity has not shown to be a protective factor of bone fractures, given its odds ratio was 1.09 (95% CI 0.74 to 1.54). No association between the sites of fracture and BMI were detected. Age and mobility impairment were associated with bone fractures in obese women. On the other hand, hospital stay (at least one day overnight in the last year), disability in activities of daily living, ischemic heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and family history of fracture, and age were associated with prevalent fractures in nonobese women. In conclusion, our study has not identified a protective impact of obesity to the occurrence of bone fractures in postmenopausal women, although different factors associated with fractures were observed between obese and nonobese women. / O índice de massa corporal (IMC) é um importante determinante da densidade mineral óssea (DMO) e acreditava-se que a obesidade fosse fator protetor contra fraturas. Entretanto, a alta DMO associada à obesidade pode somente refletir o aumento das demandas mecânicas no esqueleto e pode não conferir uma maior proteção contra fraturas do que em indivíduos não obesos, particularmente em vista de maior prevalência de trauma associado a quedas na população obesa. Desta forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi estabelecer a associação entre obesidade e fraturas ósseas nas mulheres pós-menopausa do município de Santa Maria/RS. Este foi um estudo transversal realizado na cidade de Santa Maria, paralelo 29°, Sul do Brasil, no período de 01 março a 31 de agosto de 2013. Ao todo, foram incluídas 1057 mulheres com idade igual ou maior a 55 anos, na pós-menopausa e que frequentassem a unidade básica de saúde (UBS) de seu território. Mulheres com déficit cognitivo, com dificuldade de comunicação e que ainda menstruassem foram excluídas. Os dados foram obtidos através de questionários contendo informações que incluíam características das pacientes, história de fraturas, fatores de risco para fraturas e uso de medicações. O IMC foi avaliado em 973 mulheres, das quais 39,6% possuíam um IMC de 30 kg/m2 ou mais. Das mulheres obesas, 17,4% apresentaram história de fratura prevalente, comparativamente a 16,2% das não obesas (P = 0,622). Não houve diferença entre o IMC aferido entre os grupos de mulheres pós-menopausa com fraturas e sem fraturas prévias. Da mesma forma, a obesidade não demonstrou ser fator protetor para fraturas ósseas, pois a razão de chances foi 1,09 (IC 95% 0,74-1,54). Não houve significância estatística entre os sítios de fratura e o IMC. Idade e alguma dificuldade para locomoção foram fatores associados a fraturas ósseas em mulheres obesas. Já em mulheres não obesas os fatores associados idade, internação hospitalar (permanecer pelo menos uma noite no hospital no último ano), necessidade de auxílio de outra pessoa para o auto cuidado, cardiopatia isquêmica, artrite reumatoide e história familiar. Em resumo, nosso estudo não identificou um impacto protetor da obesidade para fraturas ósseas em mulheres pós-menopausa, embora os fatores associados a fraturas tenham sido diferentes entre mulheres obesas e não obesas.

Worldwide, between 5 and 18% of postmenopausal women experience depression. While the associations of estrogens with depression have been researched extensively, relations with other postmenopausal hormones remain unclear. We evaluated the association of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels with prevalent depression the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study (n = 588). Study participants were postmenopausal women aged 53 to 73 years and not using hormone therapy at enrollment (1998-2001). FSH was measured by radioimmuno-assays. Depression symptoms were measured using a scale based on DSM-III criteria (score range = 0-12), with a score ≥5 indicative of probable depression. We assessed the relation of FSH levels with depression in multivariable linear and logistic models adjusting for age, body mass index, estradiol, antidepressant use, and other factors, and evaluated effect modification by age. In adjusted analyses of all participants, higher FSH levels were associated with lower prevalence of depression (OR comparing ≥50 vs/L = 0.50, P = 0.02). Each 10-unit increase in FSH was associated with a 17% lower prevalence of depression (95% CI 0.70-0.99). Regression coefficients for Quartiles (Q) 2-4 vs. Q1 of FSH were 0.208, -0.170, -0.472, respectively (P = 0.14). Associations were mainly observed in older women (OR 0.47, P = 0.05; ages 64-73 years). Higher FSH levels in older postmenopausal women were associated with lower prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms, independent of estradiol, adiposity measures, and other factors. Further research is warranted to evaluate mechanisms underlying these associations, including effects of FSH on immune function.

No description available.

Orientador: Lucia Helena Simões da Costa Paiva / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T03:23:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LazarJunior_Felipe_D.pdf: 154939 bytes, checksum: 9790b7b84c0e5eb21859931d78316ca3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o conhecimento e as repercussões sobre a atitude e prática dos médicos ginecologistas três anos após a publicação dos resultados do estudo Women¿s Health Initiative. Sujeitos e Método: Um questionário auto-administrado e anônimo com 19 questões foi enviado aos 6000 ginecologistas da Associação de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia do Estado de São Paulo (SOGESP). Os questionários foram postados em novembro de 2005 com recepção concluída em dezembro de 2005. Resultados: O índice de resposta foi de 24,2% (1453 questionários preenchidos) com erro amostral de 2,23% e intervalo de confiança de 95%. Apesar de 95,9% dos ginecologistas referirem conhecer o estudo WHI, apenas 24,4% tinham conhecimento dos outros estudos (HERS I, HERS II, e Million Women Study) além do WHI. Apesar de 84,6% referirem que os resultados obtidos no estudo WHI não poderiam ser extrapolados para outros tipos de TH, 23,1% e 25,2% abandonaram o uso de EEC ou AMP, 63,7% diminuíram a dose, 55,2% passaram a prescrever drogas como bifosfonatos, tibolona e serms, e 46,3% passaram a utilizar calmantes, isoflavonas e drogas naturais. Além disso, 59,2% concordaram que o tempo ideal de TH deveria ser diminuído para 4-5 anos. Houve queda significativa nas prescrições para todas as indicações de TH (p<0.0001). Para os médicos, a causa mais importante de descontinuação da TH foi o maior risco de câncer de mama (62,3%), no entanto, segundo os médicos, o fator mais importante para as pacientes foi o medo da TH (80,3%) Conclusão: Os ginecologistas têm elevado conhecimento do estudo WHI e seguiram suas recomendações com relação à prevenção de doença cardiovascular, consequentemente, mudaram sua forma de abordar o tratamento das mulheres na pós-menopausa, restringindo as indicações, tempo de uso e dose da TH / Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate gynecologists¿ knowledge of the Women¿s Health Initiative study, and its repercussions on their attitudes and practice three years after publication. Design: A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire containing 19 questions was sent to 6000 gynecologists, members of the São Paulo Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Results: The response rate was 24.2% (1453 completed questionnaires) with a sample error of 2.23% and confidence level of 95%. Although 95.9% of gynecologists were aware of the WHI study, only 24.4% had knowledge of all the other studies mentioned (HERS I, HERS II and Million Women Study). Although 84.6% stated that the results of the WHI study could not be extrapolated to other forms of HT, 23.1% and 25.2%, respectively, stopped prescribing CEE or MPA, 63.7% decreased the dose, 55.2% opted for drugs such as bisphosphonates, tibolone and SERMS, and 46.3% began to prescribe tranquilizers, isoflavone and other natural medications. Moreover, 59.2% agreed that HT should be used for only 4-5 years. Prescriptions decreased significantly for all indications (p<0.0001). The principal reason for physicians to discontinue HT in a patient was increased risk of breast cancer (62.3%), whereas, according to the physicians, the most important factor for the patients was fear of HT (80.3%). Conclusion: A high percentage of gynecologists in this study knew of the WHI study and followed its recommendations concerning cardiovascular prevention; consequently they changed their management of the treatment of postmenopausal women by restricting indications for HT and decreasing its duration of use and dose / Doutorado / Tocoginecologia / Doutor em Tocoginecologia

Objectifs: Évaluer si un programme d’entraînement en résistance d’une durée d’un an prévient le regain de poids et majore l’amélioration du profil inflammatoire. Le second objectif de cette étude était de déterminer si la variation du tissu adipeux viscéral est associée aux changements dans les concentrations sanguines des marqueurs inflammatoires. Méthodes: Soixante-dix femmes post-ménopausées en surpoids ou obèses ont été randomisées dans un des deux groupes suivants : (1) Contrôle ou (2) Entraînement en résistance. La composition corporelle (absorptiométrie double à rayons X et tomographie axiale) et les marqueurs inflammatoires (protéine C-réactive, orosomucoïde, haptoglobine) ont été évalués avant et après la période de suivi d’une durée d’un an. Résultats: Suite à la période de suivi, un regain significatif de poids corporel et de masse grasse était observé dans le groupe contrôle et le groupe entraînement en résistance (p < 0,05). Une réduction des concentrations sériques de l’orosomucoïde et une hausse des niveaux sériques de l’haptoglobine étaient également notées dans les deux groupes (p < 0,05). La variation du tissu adipeux viscéral était seulement associée aux changements dans les concentrations sériques de la protéine C-réactive (r = 0,373, p < 0,05). Conclusion: Nos résultats suggèrent que l’entraînement en résistance ne prévient pas le regain de poids corporel et ne majore pas l’amélioration du profil inflammatoire chez des femmes post-ménopausées en surpoids ou obèses. De plus, nos résultats indiquent que la variation du tissu adipeux viscéral ne semble pas être un facteur clé impliqué dans les changements des concentrations sanguines des marqueurs inflammatoires. / Objectives: To evaluate if a 1-year resistance training program improved weight loss maintenance and the inflammatory profile in overweight and obese postmenopausal women. The second objective of this study was to determine if the variation in visceral adipose tissue was associated with the changes in inflammatory markers concentrations. Methods: Seventy overweight and obese postmenopausal women were randomized to a control group or a resistance training group. Body composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography) and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, orosomucoid, haptoglobin) were measured before and after the 1-year weight loss maintenance intervention. Results: Following the weight loss maintenance intervention, we observed a significant body weight and fat mass regain in the control group and the resistance training group (p < 0.05). Significant reductions in orosomucoid and increases in haptoglobin concentrations were noted in both groups (p < 0.05). The variation in visceral adipose tissue was only associated with the changes in C-reactive protein concentrations (r = 0,373, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that resistance training do not improve weight loss maintenance and the inflammatory profile in overweight and obese postmenopausal women. Moreover, our results indicate that the variation in visceral adipose tissue may not be a key factor implicated in the changes in inflammatory markers concentrations.