[Hormone replacement therapy and osteoporosis from the perspective of evidence-based medicine].

Preparations of the estrogen (HRT) are considered the gold standard for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, supporting evidence based on the results of large, prospective, randomized controlled trials of estrogen preparations was largely lacking. In 2001 the results of two major studies were reported. The first was a meta-analysis of 22 randomized studies, and the second was an 11-year survey. Both of these studies provide very reliable evidence. The recently published interim report of the Women's Health Initiative states that the incidence of femoral fractures decreased by 34% in women who received HRT. HRT thus remain one gold standard for the prophylaxis and therapy of osteoporosis.