ANDROGENS AS ADJUVANT TREATMENT IN POSTMENOPAUSAL FEMALE-PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Objective-To examine the possible beneficial effect of androgens in po stmenopausal women with active rheumatoid arthritis. Methods-107 women participated in a double blind placebo controlled trial to evaluate t he effect of 50 mg testosterone propionate intramuscularly every two w eeks for one year. Results-An improvement in ESR, Dutch health assessm ent questionnaire, and pain was noted. In addition, 21% of patients tr eated with testosterone fulfilled the ACR improvement criteria after o ne year, versus only 4% of the placebo group. The treatment was well t olerated. Conclusions-Testosterone may improve the general wellbeing o f postmenopausal women with active rheumatoid arthritis.