The effect of testosterone on health-related quality of life in elderly males - a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of short-term testosterone supplementation on health-related quality of life in elderly males.


METHODS
As part of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, healthy males > or = 65-year-old were randomised to receive a total of four doses of 200 mg testosterone enanthanate (n = 14) or placebo (n = 8) intramuscularly every 2 weeks. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was assessed using the Short Form 36-item (SF-36) and Psychological General Well-Being (PGWB) scales, at baseline, week 8 and during therapy withdrawal, 6 weeks after the last dose.


RESULTS
The baseline SF-36 scores were similar between the groups in seven domains; only vitality was significantly lower in the placebo group (T: 80.4, P: 65.6; P = 0.007). After the 8-week treatment period and withdrawal phase, SF-36 scores were not significantly different between the groups. The PGWB scores at baseline, on treatment and off treatment were not significantly different between the groups. Moreover, the SF-36 and PGWB scores within each group did not change significantly over time.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study suggests that intramuscular testosterone, administered at a dose of 200 mg every 2 weeks, does not affect the HRQOL of elderly males.
Reddy
P
P
School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA. preddy@harthosp.org
White
C M
CM
Dunn
A B
AB
Moyna
N M
NM
Thompson
P D
PD
D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013739:Testosterone