( COLLEGEVILLE Pa. April 03 2007 /PRN...)New Analysis of Data from WHI Provides Reassurance With Respect to,Coronary Heart Disease For Newly Menopausal Women Considering,Hormone Therapy,Health

COLLEGEVILLE, Pa., April 03, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth , provides comment on a re- analysis of pooled data from both hormone therapy arms of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The pooled analysis showed no apparent increase in coronary heart disease for women who initiate hormone therapy close to menopause.

The publication also reports a statistically nonsignificant trend toward a reduction in coronary heart disease among hormone therapy users within 10 years of menopause. Study authors also reported a statistically significant reduction in total mortality among women aged 50-59 in the group receiving hormone therapy compared with those in the placebo group with a nonsignificant trend for increasing risk across other age groups. Additionally, consistent with previous findings, an increase in the risk of stroke for women taking hormone therapy was confirmed in this pooled analysis.

"These pooled findings with respect to coronary heart disease may be reassuring to newly menopausal women," says Joseph Camardo, M.D., Senior Vice President of Global Medical Affairs for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. "Hormone therapy remains a good health care choice for the appropriate woman seeking the relief of moderate to severe menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal atrophy and the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Hormone therapy should not be used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

"Furthermore, the overall findings of this pooled analysis of the WHI are consistent with major observational studies, such as the Nurses' Health Study," adds Dr. Camardo. "The overall risk/benefit ratio with hormone therapy may depend on many factors, including the type of therapy a woman chooses, such as estrogen or estrogen plus progestin, as well as a woman's age
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