Dehydroepiandrosterone improves psychological well-being in male and female hypopituitary patients on maintenance growth hormone replacement

Brooke et al., 2006 | J Clin Endocrinol Metab | Rct

Citation

Brooke Antonia M, Kalingag Leonila A, ... Monson John P. Dehydroepiandrosterone improves psychological well-being in male and female hypopituitary patients on maintenance growth hormone replacement. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006-Oct;91(10):3773-9

Abstract

CONTEXT: Patients with panhypopituitarism have impaired quality of life (QoL) despite GH replacement. They are profoundly androgen deficient, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has been shown to have a beneficial effect on well-being and mood in patients with adrenal failure and possibly in hypopituitarism. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the effect of DHEA administration on mood in hypopituitary adults on established GH replacement with a constant serum IGF-I. DESIGN: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted over an initial 6 months followed by an open phase of 6 months of DHEA. SETTING: The study was conducted at a tertiary referral endocrinology unit. PATIENTS: Thirty female and 21 male hypopituitary patients enrolled. Data from 26 females and 18 males were analyzed after patient withdrawal. INTERVENTIONS: DHEA (50 mg) was added to maintenance replacement including GH. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome objective was the effect on QoL and libido assessed by QoL assessment in GH deficiency in adults, Short Form 36, General Health Questionnaire, EuroQol, and sexual self-efficacy scale. RESULTS: Patients had impaired QoL at baseline compared with the age-matched British population. Females showed improvement in QoL assessment in GH deficiency in adults score (-2.9 +/- 2.8 DHEA vs.-0.53 +/- 3 placebo; P < 0.05), in Short Form 36 social functioning (14.6 +/- 23.1 DHEA vs.-4.7 +/- 25 placebo; P = 0.047), and general health perception (9.6 +/- 14.2 DHEA vs.-1.2 +/- 11.6 placebo; P = 0.036) after 6 months of DHEA. Men showed improvement in self-esteem (-1.3 +/- 1.7 DHEA vs. 0.5 +/- 1.5 placebo; P = 0.03) and depression (-1.6 +/- 2.2 DHEA vs. 1.2 +/- 2.4 placebo, P = 0.02) domains of the General Health Questionnaire after 6 months of DHEA. CONCLUSIONS: DHEA replacement leads to modest improvement in psychological well-being in female and minor psychological improvement in male hypopituitary patients on GH replacement.

Key Findings

Patients had impaired QoL at baseline compared with the age-matched British population. Females showed improvement in QoL assessment in GH deficiency in adults score (-2.9 +/- 2.8 DHEA vs.-0.53 +/- 3 placebo; P < 0.05), in Short Form 36 social functioning (14.6 +/- 23.1 DHEA vs.-4.7 +/- 25 placebo; P = 0.047), and general health perception (9.6 +/- 14.2 DHEA vs.-1.2 +/- 11.6 placebo; P = 0.036) after 6 months of DHEA. Men showed improvement in self-esteem (-1.3 +/- 1.7 DHEA vs. 0.5 +/- 1.5 place

Outcomes Measured

• depression

Population

MeSH Terms

• Dehydroepiandrosterone
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Growth Hormone
• Health Status Indicators
• Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Humans
• Hypopituitarism
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
• Male
• Quality of Life
• Surveys and Questionnaires

Evidence Classification

• Level: Rct
• Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
• Vertical: dhea

Provenance

• PMID: 16849414
• DOI: (not available)
• PMCID: Not in PMC
• Verified: 2026-04-10 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-10