Evaluation of Physiologic and Standard Sex Steroid Replacement Regimens in Women With Premature Ovarian Failure

Condition(s) targeted: Premature Ovarian Failure

Intervention: Ethinylestradiol / Norethisterone (Drug); Estradiol / Progesterone (Drug)

Phase: Phase 4

Status: Completed

Sponsored by: University of Edinburgh

Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s):
W Hamish B Wallace, MD, Principal Investigator, Affiliation: NHS Lothian / University of Edinburgh

The aim of the study is to determine whether physiological sex steroid replacement improves parameters of skeletal, cardiovascular and reproductive health of women treated with current sex steroid replacement regimens.

Official title: Comparison of Standard and Physiologic Sex Steroid Replacement Regimens in Women With Premature Ovarian Failure and the Assessment of Skeletal, Cardiovascular and Reproductive Parameters

Study design: Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Primary outcome:

Change in 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure

Bone mineral density measurements (DEXA)

Uterine ultrasound scan to assess uterine volume, endometrial thickness, and uterine artery blood flow

Secondary outcome:

Central arterial blood pressure and arterial stiffness measured using peripheral arterial tonometry

Biochemical evidence of activity on the renin-angiotensin system, including plasma renin activity, angiotensin II, aldosterone, creatinine, urea and electrolyte concentrations.

Serum markers of collagen turnover and bone matrix formation

Hormonal assays for gonadotrophins, FSH, LH and sex steroids estrogen and progesterone

Detailed description: Premature ovarian failure, defined as the onset of the menopause before the age of 40 years, is a relatively common problem that affects 1% of women. There are a variety of aetiologies underlying premature ovarian failure including Turner syndrome and those with idiopathic onset, however with the increasing success of intensive treatment for childhood cancer, there are increasing numbers of young survivors, with a variety of late effects of treatment, including premature ovarian failure. Evidence is required for the optimal management of young women with premature ovarian failure, either as a result of childhood cancer treatment or for other reasons. These women are currently offered combined sex steroid replacement in the convenient form of the oral contraceptive pill, or hormone replacement therapy, designed for older women after the menopause. These preparations are not designed to achieve physiological replacement of

oestrogen or progesterone, either in dosage or in biochemical structure - many preparations

using synthetic derivatives. These younger women who have differing metabolic and psychological requirements are looking to a future of 30 or more years of replacement. The optimal mode of SSR is not known for young women with premature ovarian failure, however there is concern that current regimens may be inadequate for optimal skeletal and cardiovascular health. Current preliminary data demonstrates that use of physiological sex steroid replacement improves uterine parameters. Evidence is required to determine whether optimising sex steroid replacement can also significantly improve parameters of skeletal and cardiovascular health. Young women with ovarian failure face several decades of hormone replacement, so small improvements in management may make large differences to later morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study is to determine whether physiological sex steroid replacement improves parameters of skeletal, cardiovascular and reproductive health of women treated with current sex steroid replacement regimens.

Minimum age: N/A. Maximum age: N/A. Gender(s): Female.

Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

- Premature Ovarian Failure

Exclusion Criteria:

- Intercurrent illness

Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh EH9 1LF, United Kingdom

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, United Kingdom

Related publications:

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Starting date: February 2002
Last updated: August 11, 2008