Rheumatology

Menopausal hormone therapy may increase risk of lupus, scleroderma

February 7, 2025

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) may increase the risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc), independent of socioeconomic factors. Further research is warranted to explore the role of exogenous female sex hormones in the pathogenesis of these autoimmune diseases.

Study design: This population-based nested case-control study investigated the relationship between MHT and the risk of developing SLE and SSc. The study included women with SLE or SSc and matched controls from the general population of Sweden, using data from national health registers. Exposure was defined as the dispensation of any MHT medication prior to diagnosis, and the analysis was adjusted for education, income, and sick leave.

Results: The study identified 943 women with SLE and 733 women with SSc between 2009 and 2019. A significant association was found between MHT use and the risk of SLE (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.6) and SSc (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2-1.7). The highest risk was observed in women who had both systemic and local MHT medications dispensed, with ORs of 1.9 (95% CI, 1.4-2.7) for SLE and 1.8 (95% CI, 1.2-2.5) for SSc.

Source:

Patasova K, et al. (2025, January 7). Rheumatology. Menopausal hormone therapy and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis: a population-based nested case-control study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39774842/