Bone density effects of continuous estrone sulfate and varying doses of medroxyprogesterone acetate

Objective: To establish the optimum oral daily dose of medroxyprogesterone acetate with estrone sulfate for 2 years to maintain bone density. Methods: A multicenter, double-blind study involved 568 postmenopausal women given estrone sulfate, 1.25 mg, and randomized to receive 2.5, 5, or 10 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate. Bone density analyses of the lumbar spine and femoral neck were done at baseline and 12 and 24 months. Results: There was a significant increase from baseline to 24 months in mean lumbar spine (4.0% ± 0.27%) and femoral neck (3.2% ± 0.28%) bone density, with no significant differences between the treatment groups. Factors most influencing bone density changes were baseline bone density and treatment duration. Significant increases were seen in the spine over 2 years; in the hip, those occurred in the first 12 months only. In both sites, lower baseline bone density resulted in greater increases. In the spine only, no previous hormone replacement therapy, higher body mass index, more than 2 years postmenopause, and nonsmoking resulted in greater gains. Once those covariates and center-to-center variations were corrected for, in the spine, the 10-mg group had smaller increases than the other groups. Changes were unrelated to age, parity, calcium, and alcohol intakes in either site. Conclusion: Daily estrone sulfate, 1.25 mg, with 2.5, 5, or 10 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate was effective for preventing bone loss in postmenopausal women.