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ELITE Trial

Meaning

The ELITE Trial, or Early versus Late Intervention Trial with Estradiol, was a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study designed to investigate the “timing hypothesis” of menopausal hormone therapy. This trial specifically evaluated the effect of oral estradiol treatment on the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women. The findings demonstrated that the cardiovascular benefits of hormone therapy are highly dependent on the time elapsed since the onset of menopause. It is a landmark study providing crucial data for personalizing hormone replacement protocols.