Women who use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause are almost 50% more likely to develop arthritis than those who do not. This conclusion was reached by scientists from Anhui Medical University in China. Research results published In RMD Open (Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases open).
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by symmetrical damage to joints and inflammation of internal organs. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women than in men.
While observing the health of 200 thousand women for 12 years, Chinese scientists found that early onset of menopause and having four or more children can increase the risk of developing this disease. The use of hormone replacement therapy also affects the likelihood of arthritis. Its purpose is to pharmacologically replace the lost ovarian hormonal function by replenishing the estrogen deficiency.
According to scientists, the use of HRT and early menopause (before the age of 45) are associated with an almost 50% increase in the risk of developing the disease. Having four or more children increases the likelihood of developing arthritis by 18% and the likelihood of starting menstruation after age 14 by 17%.
Researchers noted that this effect may be due to the use of older generation HRT drugs. The new drugs are more natural analogs of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which may have anti-inflammatory effects. The increased risk of developing arthritis in mothers of large families is most likely also associated with changes in the levels of these hormones.
It was like that before named It is an endocrine system disease that increases the risk of cognitive impairment.