A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Low-Dose Testosterone Therapy in Women With Anorexia Nervosa.

ABSTRACT:

Context

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric illness with considerable morbidity and no approved medical therapies. We have shown that relative androgen deficiency in AN is associated with greater depression and anxiety symptom severity.

Objective

To determine whether low-dose testosterone therapy is an effective endocrine-targeted therapy for AN.

Design

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Setting

Clinical research center.

Participants

Ninety women, 18 to 45 years, with AN and free testosterone levels below the median for healthy women.

Intervention

Transdermal testosterone, 300 μg daily, or placebo patch for 24 weeks.

Main outcome measures

Primary end point: body mass index (BMI). Secondary end points: depression symptom

SUBMITTER: Kimball A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6736210 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature