Is ongoing testosterone required after pubertal induction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy?

ABSTRACT: Glucocorticoids (GC) reduce inflammation and preserve muscle function in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) but cause pubertal delay. Pubertal induction with testosterone is recommended but longer-term outcome is unknown.

Objective

To assess hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, muscle volume and function 5 years after pubertal induction.

Methods

A prospective observational follow-up of a clinical study was conducted. 15 GC-treated males with DMD were treated with incremental testosterone for 2 years (end of regimen +2y) then evaluated at +2.5y and +5y (final follow-up~ 3 years after last injection). Data collected included testicular volume (TV), gonadotrophin, testosterone, inhibin B, muscle function and limb muscle MRI.

Results

Participants were 18.7 years (

SUBMITTER: Wood CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10620460 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature