Tamoxifen and Blood Clotting Risk in Healthy Women
Author Information
Author(s): A.L. Jones, T.J. Powles, J.G. Treleaven, J.F. Burman, M.C. Nicolson, H.-I. Chung, S.E. Ashley
Primary Institution: Royal Marsden Hospital
Hypothesis
Does tamoxifen therapy affect blood coagulation and increase thromboembolic risk in normal women?
Conclusion
Tamoxifen has only marginal effects on blood coagulation factors and does not increase the incidence of thromboembolic events in normal women.
Supporting Evidence
- Tamoxifen led to a reduction in fibrinogen levels in both pre and postmenopausal women.
- No thromboembolic events were recorded during the study.
- Marginal reductions in antithrombin III and Protein S were observed in postmenopausal women.
Takeaway
Tamoxifen, a medicine used to prevent breast cancer, doesn't seem to make healthy women more likely to have blood clots.
Methodology
The study involved a double-blind placebo-controlled trial with normal women, measuring various blood coagulation factors before and during tamoxifen treatment.
Limitations
The follow-up time was relatively short, with a maximum of 36 months, and low patient numbers at later time points.
Participant Demographics
Normal healthy pre and postmenopausal women with a positive maternal history of breast cancer.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.005 for premenopausal women, p<0.001 for postmenopausal women
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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