The Contribution of Hormone Replacement Therapy in Postmenopausal Women to Prevent Periodontal Disease

Author(s): Athanasia Stavroglou, Panagiotis Tsikouras, Anastasia Grapsa, Grigorios Trypsiannis, Anastasia Bothou, Xanthi Anthoulaki, Michael Koutsogiannis, Nikolaos Nikolettos, Georgios Galazios, Georgios Dro

Aim: We investigated the possible association of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) administration and periodontitis in postmenopausal women by testing of systematic inflammatory parameters.

Participants and Methods: 169 postmenopausal women participated in a prospective clinical study. They were divided into two groups: Group HRT (n=69) received HRT and Group no-HRT (n=100) did not receive HRT, but continued with body exercise and daily suitable natural food diet. We measured in the serum: Interleukin-1a (IL-1a); Interleukin-1b (IL-1b); Interleukin-6 (IL-6); Τumor necrosis factor (TNF-α); C-reactive protein of serum (CRP); Alkaline phosphatase (ALP); and Activin A. We also examined: oropharyngeal cavity microbial cultures; use of periodontal probe; depth of pocket; and bone mineral density.

Results: The laboratory analyses showed statistical significant decrease of TNF-a (p<0.001), IL-6 (p<0.001), IL-1a (p<0.001), IL-1b (p<0.001), alkaline phosphatase (p<0.001) and CRP (p<0.001) in Group HRT compared to no-HRT. Activin A was also reduced but not statistically significantly (p=0.549). Oropharyngeal cavity cultures were all negative in Group HRT.

Conclusion: We conclude that post-menopausal women after administration of HRT are protected of oral cavity health problems periodontitis and other local symptoms,