Abstract
A hypogonadic condition characterized by low serum testosterone levels has been identified in male patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Seven men with active RA were treated daily for 6 months with oral testosterone undecanoate plus a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug in an attempt to evaluate the immunologic response, the overall clinical response, and the sex hormone response to such replacement therapy. At the end of the 6 months, there was a significant increase in serum testosterone levels (P <0.05), an increase in the number of CD8+ T cells, and a decrease in the CD4+:CD8+ T cell ratio. The IgM rheumatoid factor concentration decreased significantly (P <0.05). There was a concurrent significant reduction in the number of affected joints (P <0.05) and in the daily intake of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (P <0.01). The well-known immunosuppressive action of androgens probably contributed to our findings in these RA patients.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1-5 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Arthritis and Rheumatism |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Published - Jan 1991 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Rheumatology