Effects of drospirenone on metabolic syndrome in post-menopause

Background. Preliminary studies suggest that drospirenone associated with hemihydrate oestradiol exerts beneficial effects on blood pressure in hypertensive postmenopausal women, but data on other parameters of cardiovascular risk are lacking. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of drospirenone 2mg in combination with hemihydrate oestradiol 1mg on clinical and laboratory parameters of cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women affected by metabolic syndrome. Material and methods. Between January and November 2009, fourteen healthy women (group A) and fourteen women with metabolic syndrome (group B) were treated for six months with hemihydrate oestradiol 1mg + drospirenone 2 mg. At recruitment and after 6 months, clinical and laboratory parameters (WHR, blood pessure, trygliceridemia, HDL cholesterolemia, glycemia) of metabolic syndrome were assessed. Results. After six months an overall improvement was observed in both group as regards lipid profile and blood pressure, reaching statistical significance for tryglicerides, total colesterolemia, and systolic pressure in patients with metabolic syndrome. Conclusions. In women affected by metabolic syndrome, the drospirenone seems to have a favourable impact on metabolic cardiovascular risk factors.