Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2008) 16 P146

ECE2008 Poster Presentations Clinical cases (60 abstracts)

Testosterone treatment improves muscle strength, lean mass and quality of life in prefrail and frail elderly men: results from a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study

Upendram Srinivas-Shankar 1 , Steve Roberts 2 , Judith Adams 2 , Martin Connolly 3 , Jackie Oldham 2 & Frederick C W Wu 1


1Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK; 2University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; 3University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.


Introduction: Testosterone (T) improves muscle strength in hypogondal patients. It is unclear if testosterone has similar effects in frail elderly men with low T. We conducted a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled parallel group study to determine the effects of T on muscle mass and strength, physical function and quality of life in frail elderly men from the general population.

Methods: Two hundred and sixty-two prefrail and frail elderly men (criteria of Fried et al. 2001), mean age (range) 74 (65–89) years received testosterone (25–75 mg/d) or placebo gel for 6 months. Outcome measures included muscle strength {(primary end points – isometric peak torque, knee extension (EIMPT) and flexion (FIMPT)}, physical function tests, lean mass (DXA) and quality of life {aging males’ symptom (AMS) scale}. Ethical approval was obtained from the Central Manchester research ethics committee.

Results: T at baseline was 10.9±3.1 and 11±3.2 mean (S.D.) nmol/l in active and placebo groups. T increased to 22.9±10 nmol/l in the active with no change in placebo group (11.3±5.2 nmol/l). EIMPT improved by 6% (P=0.042) in active and 3% (P=0.17) in placebo group. Men who reached target testosterone levels during treatment achieved higher EIMPT (10% increment) versus those that did not (2%). Physical function tests improved but did not reach statistical significance. Somatic subscale domain of AMS improved; adjusted difference (95%CI) for active vs. placebo group was −1.2 (−2.4 to −0.04). Lean mass increased (1.07 kg, P<0.0001) in the active versus placebo group.

Conclusions: Treatment with transdermal testosterone for 6 months, leads to improvement in lean mass, muscle strength and physical symptom – related quality of life in prefrail and frail elderly men.

Article tools

My recent searches

No recent searches.