Effects of Dehydroepiandrosterone Supplement on Health-related Quality of Life in Glucocorticoid Treated Female Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

• The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low dose dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in glucocorticoid treated female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Forty one women ( >or= 5 mg prednisolone/day) were included in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study for 6 months where DHEA was given at 30 mg/20 mg ( or= 46 years) daily, or placebo, followed by 6 months open DHEA treatment to all patients. HRQOL was assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months, using four validated questionnaires and the patients' partners completed a questionnaire assessing mood and behaviour at 6 months. DHEA treatment increased serum levels of sulphated DHEA from subnormal to normal. The DHEA group improved in SF-36 "role emotional" and HSCL-56 total score (both p<0.05). During open DHEA treatment, the former placebo group improved in SF-36 "mental health" (p<0.05) with a tendency for improvement in HSCL-56 total score (p=0.10). Both groups improved in McCoy's Sex Scale during active treatment (p<0.05). DHEA replacement decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and increased insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and haematocrit. There were no effects on bone density or disease activity and no serious adverse events. Side effects were mild. We conclude that low dose DHEA treatment improves HRQOL with regard to mental well-being and sexuality and can be offered to women with SLE where mental distress and/or impaired sexuality constitutes a problem.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Reumatologi och inflammation (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Rheumatology and Autoimmunity (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Adjuvants; Immunologic/pharmacology/*therapeutic use

Adult

Aged

Androgens/blood

Corticotropin/blood

Dehydroepiandrosterone/pharmacology/*therapeutic use

Double-Blind Method

Female

Humans

Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/metabolism

Lupus Erythematosus; Systemic/blood/*drug therapy/*physiopathology

Middle Aged

Prednisolone/pharmacology/*therapeutic use

Quality of Life

Research Support; Non-U.S. Gov't

Sex Characteristics

Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin/metabolism

health-related quality of life

SLE

DHEA

glucocorticoid

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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