BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is a common and potentially debilitating medical problem in older women. Postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) has been associated with better cognitive function, but the literature is conflicting. Results of recent trials suggest that HT is inappropriate for prevention of heart disease, and we sought to determine the role of HT in the risk of cognitive impairment. METHODS: We measured HT use and cognitive function in a population-based cohort of 1462 postmenopausal women participating in the 5-year follow-up examination for the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study in 1998-2000. The cohort was defined in 1987-1988 by residency in Beaver Dam, Wis, and an age of 43 to 84 years. Women had also participated in the Beaver Dam Eye Study baseline examination in 1988-1990. Use of HT was assessed at the Beaver Dam Eye Study baseline (1988-1990), 5-year follow-up (1993-1995), and 10-year follow-up (1998-2000) visits. Cognitive impairment was defined as a low Mini-Mental State Examination score or a reported diagnosis of Alzheimer disease. RESULTS: Six percent of participants (n = 94) were impaired; these women were significantly older and less educated than those who were unimpaired. In age- and education-adjusted analysis, current HT use was not significantly associated with cognitive impairment (odds ratio, 0.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-1.3). Similarly, cognitive impairment was not associated with past HT use or duration of HT use. CONCLUSION: In this large population-based study, postmenopausal hormone therapy was not significantly associated with better cognitive function.
BACKGROUND:Cognitive impairment is a common and potentially debilitating medical problem in older women. Postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) has been associated with better cognitive function, but the literature is conflicting. Results of recent trials suggest that HT is inappropriate for prevention of heart disease, and we sought to determine the role of HT in the risk of cognitive impairment. METHODS: We measured HT use and cognitive function in a population-based cohort of 1462 postmenopausal women participating in the 5-year follow-up examination for the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study in 1998-2000. The cohort was defined in 1987-1988 by residency in Beaver Dam, Wis, and an age of 43 to 84 years. Women had also participated in the Beaver Dam Eye Study baseline examination in 1988-1990. Use of HT was assessed at the Beaver Dam Eye Study baseline (1988-1990), 5-year follow-up (1993-1995), and 10-year follow-up (1998-2000) visits. Cognitive impairment was defined as a low Mini-Mental State Examination score or a reported diagnosis of Alzheimer disease. RESULTS: Six percent of participants (n = 94) were impaired; these women were significantly older and less educated than those who were unimpaired. In age- and education-adjusted analysis, current HT use was not significantly associated with cognitive impairment (odds ratio, 0.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-1.3). Similarly, cognitive impairment was not associated with past HT use or duration of HT use. CONCLUSION: In this large population-based study, postmenopausal hormone therapy was not significantly associated with better cognitive function.
Authors: Cynthia M Carlsson; David M Nondahl; Barbara E K Klein; Patrick E McBride; Mark A Sager; Carla R Schubert; Ronald Klein; Karen J Cruickshanks Journal: Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord Date: 2009 Jan-Mar Impact factor: 2.703
Authors: Margarete A Wichmann; Karen J Cruickshanks; Cynthia M Carlsson; Rick Chappell; Mary E Fischer; Barbara E K Klein; Ronald Klein; Michael Y Tsai; Carla R Schubert Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2014-08-14 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Margarete A Wichmann; Karen J Cruickshanks; Cynthia M Carlsson; Rick Chappell; Mary E Fischer; Barbara E K Klein; Ronald Klein; Carla R Schubert Journal: Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord Date: 2016 Apr-Jun Impact factor: 2.703
Authors: Carla R Schubert; Lakeesha L Carmichael; Claire Murphy; Barbara E K Klein; Ronald Klein; Karen J Cruickshanks Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2008-07-24 Impact factor: 5.562