Replacement of dehydroepiandrosterone in adrenal failure: no benefit for subjective health status and sexuality in a 9-month, randomized, parallel group clinical trial.
Abstract
The physiological role of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is not well understood, but studies suggest positive effects on subjective health and bone metabolism. We have conducted a clinical trial with DHEA replacement in adrenal failure with the primary aim of evaluating effects on subjective health status and sexuality. Thirty-nine women with adrenal failure were randomized to 9 months of treatment with 25 mg DHEA (n = 19) or placebo (n = 20). Treatment effects were assessed by validated questionnaires of subjective health and sexuality. DHEA replacement yielded a wide variation of effects on the subjective health scales, which were not different from the effects of placebo. Almost all patients receiving DHEA obtained normal androgen levels. Eighty-nine percent of the patients receiving DHEA experienced side-effects, in particular increased sweat odor and scalp itching. DHEA replacement did not significantly change the levels of blood lipids, IGF-I, and markers of bone metabolism. In conclusion, we do not find evidence of beneficial effects of DHEA on subjective health status and sexuality in adrenal failure. However, DHEA may be beneficial for subgroups of patients with adrenal failure, but these remain to be identified. Premenopausal androgen levels can be restored with 25 mg DHEA daily in most female patients, but side-effects are frequent.
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A 9-month, parallel group trial of DHEA replacement in 39 patients showing no benefit in health status may have been underpowered.
“A 9-month, parallel group trial of DHEA replacement in 39 patients showing no benefit in health status (25) may have been underpowered (26).”
From Long-Term DHEA Replacement in Primary Adrenal Insufficiency: A Randomized, Controlled Trial (2008) · cites this paper as [25]
The absence of changes in sexual function after DHEA treatment is in keeping with observations in some short- and longer-term trials but differs from observations in women with primary or secondary adrenal failure.
“which is in keeping with observations in some short- (20,48,54) and longer-term trials (25) but differs from observations in women with primary or secondary adrenal failure (23,24).”
From Long-Term DHEA Replacement in Primary Adrenal Insufficiency: A Randomized, Controlled Trial (2008) · cites this paper as [25]
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References 28 · Cited by 144
- Authors
- Løvås, K., Gebre-Medhin, G., Trovik, T. S., Fougner, K. J., Uhlving, S., Nedrebø, B. G., Myking, O. L., Kämpe, O., & Husebye, E. S.
- Affiliations
- Haukeland University Hospital (NO)
- University Hospital of North Norway (NO)
- St Olav's University Hospital (NO)
- Privatsykehuset Haugesund (NO)
- Uppsala University Hospital (SE)
- Corresponding author
- Løvås, Kristian
- Venue
- The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Publisher
- The Endocrine Society
- Published
- 2003-03
- Volume
- 88
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 1112-1118
- ISSN
- 0021-972X (ISSN-L)
- 1945-7197
- OpenAlex
- W2027318457
- Semantic Scholar
- 81e173f800ffb48d0670b6474966cce0dd89ca0d
- Cited by
- 144
- References
- 28
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 8.95
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Vetenskapsrådet
- Universitetet i Bergen
- Haukeland Universitetssjukehus
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Menopause: Health Impacts and Treatments
- Keywords
- dehydroepiandrosterone, adrenal insufficiency, DHEA replacement therapy, self-rated health, sexuality, androgen levels, adverse effects, sweat odor, scalp itching, bone metabolism, insulin-like growth factor I, serum lipids, women
- MeSH terms
- Adrenal Gland Diseases, Adult, Aged, Androgens, Dehydroepiandrosterone, Double-Blind Method, Female, Health Status, Humans, Middle Aged, Sexual Behavior, Hormone Replacement Therapy
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