Nasal respiratory epithelium changes in postmenopausal women receiving hormone therapy

Aim. To investigate the effects on nasal epithelium in postmenopausal women treated with hormone therapy (HT). Metods. In our prospective study, 60 healthy postmenopausal women were enrolled among visitors at the university hospital. Each of them underwent nasal sampling with a cytobrush by direct vision of the middle and inferior nasal turbinates during enrolment e at the 6th month of HT treatment. The specimens were evaluated with the maturation index. Results. Hematoxylin-eosin stating showed that the women improved trophic characteristics for the nasal cytological samples with respect to the pre treatment cytological aspects. Conclusion. The results of the study could be interesting in a clinical setting, when postmenopausal women have to be treated for otorhinolaryngologic problems.