Durability of the effects of testosterone and growth hormone supplementation in older community-dwelling men: the HORMA Trial

• Published in: Clinical endocrinology (Oxford) 2011-07, Vol.75 (1), p.103-111
• Main Authors: Sattler, Fred R., Bhasin, Shalender, He, Jiaxiu, Yarasheski, Kevin E., Binder, Ellen F., Schroeder, E. Todd, Castaneda-Sceppa, Carmen, Kawakubo, Miwa, Roubenoff, Ronenn, Dunn, Matthew, Hahn, Chris, Stewart, Yolanda, Martinez, Carmen, Azen, Stanley P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Anabolic Agents; Androgens; Biological and medical sciences; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Endocrinopathies; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Human Growth Hormone - administration & dosage; Human Growth Hormone - adverse effects; Human Growth Hormone - pharmacology; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Muscular system; Testosterone; Testosterone - administration & dosage; Testosterone - adverse effects; Testosterone - pharmacology; Treatment Outcome; Vertebrates: endocrinology
• ISSN: 0300-0664; 1365-2265
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2011.04014.x

Summary Objectives  To determine the durability of anabolic effects and adverse events (AEs) after stopping testosterone and growth hormone supplementation in older men. Design  Secondary analysis of a double‐masked, randomized controlled trial of testosterone gel (5 or 10 g/daily) plus rhGH (0, 3 or 5 μg/kg/day) with follow‐up of outcomes 3 months later. Participants  A total of 108 community‐dwelling 65‐ to 90‐year‐old men. Measurements  Testosterone and IGF‐1 levels, body composition (DEXA), 1‐repetition maximum (1‐RM) strength, stair‐climbing power, quality‐of‐life (QOL) and activity questionnaires, AEs. Results  Despite improvements in body composition during treatment, residual benefits 3 months later (week 28) were variable. For participants with improvements exceeding their week‐17 median changes, benefits were sustained at week 28 for lean body mass (1·45 ± 1·63 kg, 45% of week‐17 values, P