An acronym for the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study, a large-scale, multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to rigorously evaluate the effects of hormone therapy initiated early in the postmenopausal period on the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis and various other health outcomes. This landmark study provided essential, high-quality data on the cardiovascular, bone, and cognitive effects of different hormone regimens in women who were recently menopausal. It is a key reference in the contemporary clinical discussion regarding the “timing hypothesis” for menopausal hormone therapy.
Origin
The study was conceived and executed by the Kronos Longevity Research Institute to specifically address the critical limitations and unanswered questions arising from earlier, larger trials like the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI). It aimed to test the hypothesis that the safety and efficacy of hormone therapy are significantly dependent on its initiation timing relative to the final menstrual period. The name is a descriptive acronym for the clinical investigation.
Mechanism
The KEEPS study investigated how the early introduction of estrogen, with or without progesterone, influenced the progression of coronary artery calcification and carotid intima-media thickness. The underlying mechanism being explored was the protective effect of estrogen on vascular endothelium and lipid profiles when administered before the establishment of significant, irreversible atherosclerotic plaque. The findings contributed substantial evidence supporting the concept that hormone therapy may offer cardiovascular benefits when initiated during a specific window of opportunity.
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