OBJECTIVETo study the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) treatment of osteoporosis in men with T(BMD) > or = 2.5SD.

METHODSEighty-six patients were randomly divided into two groups: treatment group (n = 44) and control group (n = 42). DHEAS (100 mg q.d.) was given to the treatment group for 6 months. Bone mineral density, (BMD), biochemical markers of bone absorption and formation and other serum biochemical markers were measured before and after DHEAS treatment. Drug side effects were also evaluated.

RESULTSAfter oral administration of DHEAS (100 mg q.d.) for 6 months, the serum concentrations of DHEAS and IGF-I in the treatment group were 93.75% +/- 16.1% and 17.71% +/- 4.2% higher respectively than those in the control group (P < 0.01). The BMD of L2, L3, L4, L2 - 4 and Neck sections increased in the treatment group by 2.65% +/- 0.65%, 2.70% +/- 0.48%, 3.10% +/- 0.41%, 2.82% +/- 0.37% and 2.32% +/- 0.31%, respectively, as compared with that the control group (P < 0.05 or 0.01). No significant changes were observed in serum FT, E(2) and PSA concentrations in the treatment group as compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONThe treatment of osteoporosis in men with DHEAS is safe and effective.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology