Effect of menopause hormone therapy on disease progression in systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review

Hormone therapy in menopausal patients with systemic lupus erythematosus appears to be well tolerated. While there is some evidence supporting an increase in risk of mild to moderate flares among hormone therapy users, no association was identified between hormone therapy use and severe disease flares. In addition, hormone therapy was associated with significant improvement in menopausal symptoms and quality of life. Larger trials are required to assess the long-term effects of hormone therapy on the course of systemic lupus erythematosus in menopausal patients and to identify patient characteristics associated with an increased risk of flares in the setting of hormone therapy exposure.