Efficacy of Testosterone Treatment in Hemodialysis Patients as Assessed by Aging Males’ Symptoms Scores: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Numerous reports point to the beneficial effects of testosterone replacement therapy for patients with late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intramuscular injection of testosterone enantholactam acid ester on Aging Males’ Symptoms (AMS) scores in hemodialysis patients with LOH. A total of 24 male patients with LOH (total AMS scores ≥27) were randomized into groups receiving intramuscular injections of either placebo or testosterone enantholactam acid ester at the dose of 250 mg for 6 months. In all, 13 and 11 participants from the active treatment and placebo groups, respectively, completed this study. An intramuscular injection of either placebo or testosterone enantholactam acid ester was given every 2 weeks. Self-administered AMS questionnaires were completed at the start, at Week 12 and at Week 24. The total AMS score was significantly more improved in the treatment group than in the placebo group ( p = .049) during the 24-week period. The change in the mean of total AMS score was +1% in the placebo group and −13.2% in the treatment group. The mean somato-vegetative domain scores decreased significantly only in the treatment group, and not in the placebo group (−1.21 vs. −2.43, p = .028). Although a large-scale study is needed, testosterone treatment may be effective in male patients with hemodialysis who have poor health-related quality of life resulting from LOH.