Testosterone improves rehabilitation outcomes in ill older men.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether testosterone supplementation improves rehabilitation outcomes in ill older men.


METHODS
A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.


METHODS
A Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) unit based at a university- affiliated Veterans Affairs Medical Center.


METHODS
Fifteen men aged 65 to 90 years admitted to the GEM for rehabilitation.


METHODS
Subjects were randomized to receive weekly intramuscular injections with testosterone enanthate 100 mg or placebo.


METHODS
Task-specific performance using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and grip strength was measured at the onset of the study and at the time of discharge from the GEM.


RESULTS
At baseline, FIM scores were similar between the placebo and the testosterone group (73.7 vs 70.7, P = .637), as was grip strength (49.7 vs 55.3 pounds, P = .555). At discharge from the GEM, testosterone-treated patients had improved FIM scores compared with baseline (93.6 vs 70.7; P = .012) and grip strength (68.7 vs 55.3 pounds; P = .033). In the placebo group there was no significant improvement of FIM scores compared with baseline (78.0 versus 73.7; P = .686) or of grip strength (48.9 vs 49.7 pounds; P = .686).


CONCLUSIONS
Testosterone supplementation may improve rehabilitation outcomes in ill older men.
Bakhshi
V
V
Medical College of Virginia Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA.
Elliott
M
M
Gentili
A
A
Godschalk
M
M
Mulligan
T
T
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D018737:Hand Strength; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D012046:Rehabilitation; D013739:Testosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013739:Testosterone