Effect of testosterone therapy on lumbar spine and hip mineral density in elderly men.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to analyse the effect of testosterone therapy on bone mineral density in healthy elderly men who had low levels of total testosterone.

DESIGN

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-eight men over 60 years old with decreased testosterone levels (< or =320 ng/dL) comprised the study. Twenty-five out of 48 received intramuscular injections of testosterone enanthate every three weeks during 12 months; the remaining 23 participants formed the control group. All participants had measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) in both lumbar spine and hip before and at the end of the study as well as testosterone and 17-beta estradiol levels.

RESULTS

Testosterone treated group exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) increment (from 1.198 +/- 0.153 to 1.240 +/- 0.141 g/cm(2)) in lumbar BMD in parallel with a significant (p < 0.001) increment (from 301 +/- 32 to 471 +/- 107 ng/dL) in testosterone concentrations, whereas no significant change occurred in femoral neck BMD.

CONCLUSIONS

Testosterone therapy elicited a positive effect only in lumbar BMD in elderly men with diminished testosterone serum levels.