title: Androgen deficiency in long-term intrathecal opioid administration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intrathecal drug delivery of opioids is an efficient and effective treatment option for pain management in the chronic nonmalignant pain population. As with all treatments, in addition to the benefits, risks and side effects exist. One such risk in intrathecal opioids is opioid-induced androgen deficiency.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluates opioid-induced androgen deficiency in long-term intrathecal opioid administration in chronic nonmalignant pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series. Sixteen consecutive patients with intrathecal drug delivery with opioids were screened for androgen deficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic university-based pain management center.
  
  
  METHODS
  All the subjects were seen in a 2 month period, during a scheduled maintenance refill visit. Eight consecutive men and eight consecutive women receiving intrathecal drug delivery therapy for non-malignant chronic pain were ordered blood work and asked to complete a questionnaire. Patient and patient-related data were also collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten of the 16 (62.5%) patients were found to have androgen deficiency, 4 of 8 men based on free testosterone levels and 6 of 8 women based on DHEA levels. In men, erectile dysfunction correlated with endocrine dysfunction (P = 0.02) while depressive symptoms correlated in women (P = .03). Overall, 2 of the 16 patients had hydromorphone as the opioid in the intrathecal system. Both patients had normal endocrine functions. Both patients with hydromorphone were men and the use of hydromorphone showed an insignificant trend (P = 0.06). Three of the 4 men with normal endocrine functions had in addition to an opioid, bupivacaine, in the intrathecal system. The presence of bupivicaine in men was significant (P = 0.02). No women had bupivicaine while one of the 8 women had clonidine in addition to the opioid. Presence of another substance in addition to the opioid showed an insignificant trend (P = 0.08).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Study limitations include the small sample size and case series nature. Additionally the symptoms data was solely based on subjective patient reports.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Androgen deficiency is common in patients treated with intrathecal opioids for chronic nonmalignant pain. Patients experience numerous and wide ranging symptoms. Erectile dysfunction may be more suggestive for androgen deficiency in men while complaints of depressed mood may be correlative in women. Additionally, combining bupivicaine with the intrathecal opioid may provide a protective role.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Pain Management, West Virginia University School of Medicine, and Department of Anesthesiology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV.
authors: Chong H
authors: CH
authors: Kim
authors: Rolando
authors: R
authors: Garcia
authors: Justin
authors: J
authors: Stover
authors: Kyle
authors: K
authors: Ritchie
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Whealton
authors: Monica A
authors: MA
authors: Ata
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone