Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2022 Oct 22. doi: 10.1111/cen.14839. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
CONTEXT: Aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy provides oncological benefits in postmenopausal women with oestrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. However, AI treatment has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk. In non-breast cancer populations, experimentally-induced low oestrogen states and natural transition to menopause have been associated with increases in visceral adipose tissue (VAT), a known surrogate marker for cardiometabolic risk.
OBJECTIVE: Given that AI treatment blocks oestradiol production we hypothesised that AI treatment would increase VAT.
METHODS: We conducted a prospective 12-month cohort study of 52 postmenopausal women newly initiating AI treatment (median age 64.5 years) and 52 women with breast pathology not requiring endocrine therapy (median age 63.5 years). VAT area and other body composition parameters were measured at baseline, 6- and 12-months using Dual X-ray Absorptiometry. Other risk markers of cardiometabolic health were also assessed.
RESULTS: In women initiating AI treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in VAT area after 12-months when compared to controls, mean adjusted difference -5.00 cm2 (-16.9, 6.91), p=0.55. Moreover, changes in total fat mass, lean mass, subcutaneous adipose tissue area, hepatic steatosis and measures in endothelial function were also not statistically different between groups after 12-months. Findings were similar after adjustments for activity levels and COVID-19 lockdown duration.
CONCLUSIONS: These data provide reassurance that over the initial 12-months of AI therapy, AI treatment is not associated with metabolically adverse changes in body composition, hepatic steatosis or vascular reactivity. The impact of extended AI therapy on cardiometabolic health requires further study. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PMID:36271726 | DOI:10.1111/cen.14839
