The KEEPS (Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study) trial investigated hormone therapy in recently menopausal women. Its primary finding regarding cardiovascular outcomes was:

• A Early HRT (within 6 years of menopause) significantly increased coronary heart disease events
• B Early HRT did not reduce subclinical atherosclerosis as measured by CIMT progression ✓
• C Transdermal oestrogen reduced cardiovascular events more than oral oestrogen
• D Early HRT improved mood and sexual function with no cardiovascular benefit or harm

Explanation

The KEEPS trial (2012) enrolled recently menopausal women (within 3 years of menopause) and found that neither oral conjugated equine oestrogen nor transdermal oestradiol, given for 4 years, significantly reduced progression of subclinical atherosclerosis as assessed by carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). This did not show the cardiovascular harm seen in WHI (which enrolled older women), nor did it demonstrate cardiovascular benefit, supporting the 'timing hypothesis' but not proving it.

Reference: Shaw's Textbook of Gynaecology, 17th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.