Changes in the Quality of Life after Tansdermal Testosterone (Androderm(R)) Supplement Therapy in the Aging Male

Park, Jeong Soo; Hong, Jung Ik; Park, Nam Cheol

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study investigated the changes of quality of life after the supplement of testosterone in the aging male partial androgen deficiency(PADAM).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The changes of subjective symptoms were estimated in 56 cases(experimental group: 48 cases, placebo group: 8 cases) with PADAM over 55 year-old, who were treated with transdermal testosterone(Androderm(R)) or a placebo patch by single blind method from September, 1997 to July, 1998. The 12.2mg testosterone patch was attached daily on the lower abdomen, thigh, upper arm and back on a period of three months. Laboratory tests were done on pretreatment and monthly after treatment, which include serum testosterone, PSA, cholesterol, AST and ALT. Changes in the quality of life were evaluated by the PNUH QOL system, which consisted of 21 questions inquiring the following 7 functions: metabolic, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, neurologic, psychiatric and sexual function.
RESULTS
The 56 cases showed an age distribution of 55-80 year-old(mean 64.3 year-old). During the follow-up period, the drop-out rate after treatment in the experimental group was 18 cases(37.5%) and 7 cases(14.6%) in the posttreatment 1st and 2nd months, respectively. Serum testosterone was significantly increased in the posttreatment 1st, 2nd, 3rd months when compared to pretreatment levels only in the experimental group(r=0.897, p=0.009). Prior to treatment, sexual dysfunction was inquired the most common problem, and followed by psychiatric, musculoskeletal, metabolic, cardiopulmonary, neurologic and gastrointestinal dysfunction in order. After treatment, sexual dysfunction showed the most improvement, and followed by metabolic, musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, psychiatric, gastrointestinal and neurologic dysfunction in order. Except for neurologic and gastrointestinal dysfunctions, other subjective symptoms improved in proportion to duration of treatment. The most common complication was a skin rash, which occured in 36 cases(64.2%) and caused the drop out of 14 cases(25%).
CONCLUSIONS
According to the above results, it revealed that testosterone supplement therapy induced the improvement of the quality of life in PADAM. Therefore, treatment proctocols including indication, dosage and duration as well as the exact mechanism of the biological role of testosterone should be prepared to popularize hormonal therapy in PADAM.