Effects of tibolone on auditory brainstem responses in postmenopausal women--a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of tibolone, a synthetic steroid, in modifying auditory brainstem response (ABR) in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.


METHODS
Outpatient menopausal clinic in a university hospital.


METHODS
Twenty-four healthy postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Administration of either tibolone or placebo for 12 weeks; evaluation of ABR and hormone levels before and after treatment.


METHODS
Changes in auditory brainstem response latencies.


RESULTS
Comparison of the ABR latency data from the two treatment groups showed a significant decrease in wave II, III, and V peak latencies in women receiving tibolone. No significant differences in pretreatment and posttreatment circulating hormone concentrations were observed between the tibolone and placebo group. Furthermore, there was no significant increase in hormone levels in either of the groups at 12 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show an improvement in auditory function via brainstem auditory neural pathways sensitive to tibolone in postmenopausal women. Tibolone may offer new therapeutic strategies in otologic disorders.
Sator
M O
MO
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Vienna, Austria. michael.sator@akh-wien.ac.at
Franz
P
P
Egarter
C
C
Gruber
D M
DM
Wölfl
G
G
Nagele
F
F
D000368:Aged; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos; D017698:Postmenopause; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D009652:Norpregnenes; D010919:Placebos; C027385:tibolone