Nandrolone Decanoate Improves Joint Pain in Hypogonadal Men Within 8 Weeks

A. Tatem, J. Beilan, J. Kovac, J. Gondokusumo, N. Thirumavalavan, L. Lipshultz

Extract

Introduction

5-20% of adult men suffer from hypogonadism (HG). Comorbidities linked with HG, such as diabetes and obesity, are often associated with significant and debilitating joint pain (JP). Nandrolone decanoate (ND) is an FDA approved testosterone derivative for treatment of anemia and muscle-wasting syndrome that has anecdotally been linked to reduced JP.

Objective

To quantify and characterize ND’s effect on joint pain in hypogonadal men.

Methods

Hypogonadal men taking injectable testosterone therapy (TTh) presenting to a single andrology clinic between July 2018 and January 2019 were evaluated for the presence of JP. Men who reported significant JP and denied prior ND usage were invited to take part in the study. The Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Scale (RAPS) is a validated questionnaire initially developed to assess/characterize pain levels in adults with rheumatoid arthritis. It contains 24 statements about JP that patients assign a value ranging from 0 (never) to 6 (always). Pain scores are totaled with higher scores representing worse pain and can then be divided into physiologic, affective, sensory-discriminative, and cognitive components. Men were asked to complete the RAPS questionnaire prior to starting ND. Patient specific characteristics were recorded, including pain location and pain medication use/dosages. Men subsequently started injectable ND at half the dosage of their current testosterone regimen with all other medications kept constant. After 8 weeks, they were asked to complete the survey again.

References

The Journal of Sexual Medicine, Volume 17, Issue Supplement_1, January 2020, Page S14, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.11.029