Low-dose transdermal HRT reduces stroke

Low-dose transdermal HRT is not associated with an increased risk of stroke in UK general practice, a new study suggests (BMJ 2010;340:c2519).

    Using the General Practice Research Database, the case-control study matched 15 710 cases of stroke diagnosed in women aged 50-79 between 1987 and 2006 with almost 60 000 controls. After adjusting for risk factors, the rate ratio of stroke in women using low-dose transdermal HRT (oestrogen dose ≤50µg daily) was 0.81 compared with no use. The rate ratio for high-dose transdermal HRT was 1.89 and for any dose oral HRT it was 1.28; both were statistically
significantly higher than no HRT use.