SERUM-LIPIDS IN HYPERANDROGENIC WOMEN IN TREATMENT WITH KETOCONAZOLE AND ITS RELATION WITH THE CHANGES OF THE HORMONAL PATTERN

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated changes in the lipidic profile following treatment with ketoconazole. However, the possible i nfluence in patients with hyperandrogenism treated with this drug and its possible relation with the evolution of the hormonal pattern is un known. RESULTS: Thirty-seven women with no tumoral hyperandrogenism tr eated with ketoconazole for 9 months (400 mg/day) were studied during treatment and one month after supression of the medication. The study included the evaluation of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyc erides, LDL cholesterol and hormonal determinations of estradiol, andr ostendione, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, sulphate and sex hor mone binding globulin. RESULTS: A rapid and significant decrease of LD L cholesterol and total cholesterol was observed (p < 0.01) which was reversible upon discontinuation of treatment. The HDL cholesterol leve ls and triglycerides did not modify. The final hormonal profile was mo re favorable with a significant reduction of testosterone and dehydroe piandrosterone sulphate (p < 0.01) and an increase in estradiol (p < 0 .01). No statistical correlation was observed between the changes of s exual steroids and the changes in the lipidic pattern. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with non tumoral hyperandrogenism treated with ketoconazole the modifications of the steroid hormone profile do not appear to be r elated with changes in lipidic metabolism.