OBJECTIVE:

To study the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) treatment of osteoporosis in men with T(BMD) > or = 2.5SD.

METHODS:

Eighty-six patients were randomly divided into two groups: treatment group (n = 44) and control group (n = 42). DHEAS (100 mg q.d.) was given to the treatment group for 6 months. Bone mineral density, (BMD), biochemical markers of bone absorption and formation and other serum biochemical markers were measured before and after DHEAS treatment. Drug side effects were also evaluated.

RESULTS:

After oral administration of DHEAS (100 mg q.d.) for 6 months, the serum concentrations of DHEAS and IGF-I in the treatment group were 93.75% +/- 16.1% and 17.71% +/- 4.2% higher respectively than those in the control group (P < 0.01). The BMD of L2, L3, L4, L2 - 4 and Neck sections increased in the treatment group by 2.65% +/- 0.65%, 2.70% +/- 0.48%, 3.10% +/- 0.41%, 2.82% +/- 0.37% and 2.32% +/- 0.31%, respectively, as compared with that the control group (P < 0.05 or 0.01). No significant changes were observed in serum FT, E(2) and PSA concentrations in the treatment group as compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION:

The treatment of osteoporosis in men with DHEAS is safe and effective.