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Cited by 383Hormonal and reproductive studiesTreatment of Major DepressionStress Responses and Cortisol

Testosterone and Depression: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Zarrouf, Fahd Aziz, Artz, Steven, Griffith, James, Sirbu, Cristian, Kommor, Martin·2009·Journal of Psychiatric Practice
DOI 10.1097/01.pra.0000358315.88931.fc
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that testosterone (TT) replacement may have an antidepressant effect in depressed patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the effect of TT administration on depression using both a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis. METHODOLOGY: A search was conducted of MEDLINE, the Clinical Trials Registry, and Cochrane Central for English-language publications concerning randomized, placebo-controlled trials involving use of TT therapy in depressed patients. We searched for additional trials in the individual reference lists of the articles identified in the search. A study was judged to be relevant for inclusion in this review and meta-analysis if it reported original data from a controlled trial comparing use of TT and placebo in patients diagnosed with a depressive disorder according to DSM criteria, and the treatment response was evaluated according to changes on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). We extracted the following data from the identified studies: study source, total number of participants in the study and in each treatment group, participants' ages, number of participants with a diagnosis of hypogonadism or HIV/AIDS, study duration, type of intervention, and change in HAM-D scores in the groups receiving TT versus placebo. The meta-analysis evaluated the effect of TT replacement on response in depressed patients as measured by change in HAM-D scores in the available placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trails. RESULTS: Seven studies (N=364) were identified that included a placebo-control group in a double-blind design. Eligibility criteria were clearly reported in all trials. Meta-analysis of the data from these seven studies showed a significant positive effect of TT therapy on HAM-D response in depressed patients when compared with placebo (z=4.04, P<0.0001). Subgroup analysis also showed a significant response in the subpopulations with hypogonadism (z=3.84, P=0.0001) and HIV/AIDS (z=3.33, P=0.0009) as well as in patients treated with TT gel (z=2.32, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: TT may have an antidepressant effect in depressed patients, especially those with hypogonadism or HIV/AIDS and elderly subpopulations. The route by which TT is administered may play a role in treatment response.

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Crossref · 10.1097/01.pra.0000358315.88931.fc

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Authors
Zarrouf, F. A., Artz, S., Griffith, J., Sirbu, C., & Kommor, M.
Affiliations
West Virginia University (US)
Corresponding author
Zarrouf, Fahd Aziz
ORCID
Sirbu, Cristian
Venue
Journal of Psychiatric Practice
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2009-07
Volume
15
Issue
4
Pages
289-305
ISSN
  • 1527-4160 (ISSN-L)
  • 1538-1145
DOI
10.1097/01.pra.0000358315.88931.fc
OpenAlex
W2072447154
Cited by
383
References
141
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 39 · 2014: 26 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 24
FWCI
2.18
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Psychiatric Practice (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
testosterone replacement therapy, depression, antidepressant effects, hypogonadism, HIV/AIDS, testosterone gel, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, elderly patients, route of administration
MeSH terms
Major Depressive Disorder, Humans, Hypogonadism, Male, Quality of Life, Registries, Sexual Behavior, Testosterone, Hormone Replacement Therapy, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

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