Abstract
Objective:
To examine the possible beneficial effect of androgens in postmenopausal women with active rheumatoid arthritis.
Methods:
107 women participated in a double blind placebo controlled trial to evaluate the effect of 50 mg testosterone propionate intramuscularly every two weeks for one year.
Results:
An improvement in ESR, Dutch health assessment questionnaire, and pain was noted. In addition, 21% of patients treated with testosterone fulfilled the ACR improvement criteria after one year, versus only 4% of the placebo group. The treatment was well tolerated.
Conclusions:
Testosterone may improve the general wellbeing of postmenopausal women with active rheumatoid arthritis.
Publication types
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Clinical Trial
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Randomized Controlled Trial
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
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Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid / pathology
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid / physiopathology
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Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
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Disability Evaluation
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Double-Blind Method
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Drug Therapy, Combination
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Pain Measurement
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Postmenopause
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Progesterone / adverse effects
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Progesterone / therapeutic use*
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Severity of Illness Index
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Testosterone / adverse effects
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Testosterone / therapeutic use*
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Treatment Outcome
Substances
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
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Antirheumatic Agents
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Testosterone
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Progesterone