In this scientific clinical investigation we will test whether testosterone and progressive resistance training can improve muscle strength and reduce the risk of falls in older men. In addition, we will examine whether this treatment improves quality of life, functional capacity, including sexual function and counteracts depression. Such a project have not been performed earlier.
Project background: In Denmark more than 1,000 people each year die of a fall, which is more than five times as many dying in traffic accidents. Fall accidents are also the leading cause of traumatic brain injury and is a relatively unnoticed problem, although this type of accidents causes more hospital bed days than all other accidents combined. Annually, almost half of the 375,000 elderly Danes over 75 years of age and relatively three times as many of the approximately 40,000 elderly people in nursing homes fall every year, causing over 40,000 hospital contacts annually. Ten percent of all elderly people hospitalized each year because of a fall, mostly with fractures, for which the risk increases fivefold after a fall. In Denmark there are now now around 1 million people over 65 years of age. Over the next 25 years we will experience a 50% growth to 1.5 million people over 65 years of age. Injury, disability and death caused by falls is therefore a widespread and growing human and societal problem. Many will never recover completely and will therefore need help to cope with everyday life. After the first fall risk increase for repeated falls. Especially for older people living in their own homes permanent or temporary disabilities results in a severe deterioration of the quality of life. Treatment of falls is also a significant financial burden on health and social care. The main reason for the decline is muscle weakness. Muscle weakness leads to greatly increased risk of falling, decreased quality of life and functional capacity. Musclemass and -power decrease about 40 percent from age 20 to 80 years old. Recent studies have shown that even 90-year-old persons can double their muscle strength by intensive training just three times per week. The level of the male sex hormone testosterone decreases with age and leads to impaired muscle mass. Twenty percent of men over 60 and 50 percent over 80 years, a low level of testosterone in total equivalent to more than 100,000 Danes. From the human and socio-economic perspective, it is important to find treatments that can enhance function in the elderly.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
192
Testosterone supplemented in 5 months
Progressive muscle training during 4 months
Karsten Overgaard
Hellerup, Danmark, Denmark
Medical Dept. O, Geriatric Section
Herlev, Denmark
Stand-up-and Sit-test
It is a measure of overall strength in the lower extremities. Result of the test is defined as the number of times the participant can stand up and sit from a chair in 30 seconds. There is a good correlation (r = 0.78) with a leg press and an acceptable test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.86).
Time frame: up to 5 months (at study completion)
Frequency and severity of falls via questionaire
included in the monitoring of adverse events.
Time frame: At baseline, 1 month, 5 months (at study completion)
Balance ability,
Tandem Test containing three starting positions: 1) Standing with feet together, standing in the semi-tandem position and standing in the tandem stand. coupled with decrease risk of fall.
Time frame: At baseline, 1 month, 5 months (at study completion)
Avlund mobility scale
Questions about experiencing fatigue and support needs of ordinary everyday activities. Avlund mobility scale is correlated with the isometric muscle strength, simple function tests , increased risk of hospitalization and mortality
Time frame: At baseline, 1 month, 5 months (at study completion)
Leg extensor Power Rig test
An instrument for measuring muscle strength in the lower extremities.
Time frame: At baseline, 1 month, 5 months (at study completion)
Isometric muscle strength
Measurement of isometric muscle strength m. quadriceps in a seated leg press.
Time frame: At baseline, 1 month, 5 months (at study completion)
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Armflexion Test:
Measures of overall strength in the upper extremities. The number of times the participant can inflect the elbow with dumbbell is measured in 30 sec.
Time frame: At baseline, 1 month, 5 months (at study completion)
2-minute knee lift test:
Measures aerobic capacity in the elderly. Number of high knee lifts in 2 minutes.
Time frame: At baseline, 1 month, 5 months (at study completion)
2,45minute up-and-go test:
Target for basic mobility in the elderly. Time it takes to rise from a chair, walk around a cone 2,45m away, go back and sit down again. Moderate to good correlation between the corresponding 3m test and Berg Balance Scale (r = 0.81), walking speed (r = 0.61) and Barthel index (r = 0.78) and a good test-retest- reliability (ICC = 0.98).
Time frame: At baseline, 1 month, 5 months (at study completion)
DXA scan
Lean body mass. Measurement of fat and fat-free mass and total bone mass (BMC). Executed only at baseline and at study end.
Time frame: At baseline, 1 month, 5 months (at study completion)
Bone Mineral Density
Of the spine, distal forearm bilaterally, total hip bilaterally and in the skeleton as a whole (total body). In case of osteoporosis treatment will be initiated following the department's usual guidelines, which can blur the results for bone density.
Time frame: At baseline, 1 month, 5 months (at study completion
Major Depression Inventory (MDI):
Questionnaire on depression and mental well-being.
Time frame: At baseline, 1 month, 5 months (at study completion)
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA):
A cognitive screening test that provides an estimate of the intellectual functioning; This test is also sensitive to mild cognitive problems and dementia.
Time frame: At baseline, 1 month, 5 months (at study completion)
Quality of Life EQ-5D:
Questionnaire on the experienced quality of life.
Time frame: At baseline, 1 month, 5 months (at study completion)
Modified PISQ-12:
An assessment of sexual performance (potency) and sexual desire. There are previously found improved sexual function, mood, muscle strength and body composiAn evaluation questionnaire of sexual function
Time frame: At baseline, 1 month, 5 months (at study completion)
Aastrands Test:
Sub-maximal fitness test performed on a treadmill. Includes monitoring heart rate
Time frame: At baseline, 1 month, 5 months (at study completion)
Measurements of the Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
Studies have indicated that hypogonodal men can improve the Heart Rate Variability by testosterone treatment
Time frame: At baseline, 1 month, 5 months (at study completion)
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
Measurement of the body composition bioimpedance.
Time frame: At baseline, 1 month, 5 months (at study completion)
Safety parameters - blood pressure
Blood pressure. Blood samples: Serum testosterone, hemoglobin, hematocrit, lipid profile, Potassium, Natrium, creatinine, CRP, AST, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, TSH, p-ionized calcium, PTH, Ca ++, and 25-OH vitamin D.
Time frame: Measured every four weeks through the study (for 5 months)
Side effects
Measuring a lot of posssible side effects to training and testosterone
Time frame: Measured every four weeks through the study (for 5 months)
Safety parameters - blood sample - testosterone level
Measuring levels of testosterone and safely parameter
Time frame: Measured every four weeks through the study (for 5 months)
Safety parameters - blood sample - hemoglobin level
Measuring levels hemoglobin
Time frame: Measured every four weeks through the study (for 5 months)
Safety parameters - blood sample - hematocrit level
Measuring levels of hematocrit
Time frame: Measured every four weeks through the study (for 5 months)
Safety parameters - blood sample - lipid profile
Measuring levels cholesterol
Time frame: Measured every four weeks through the study (for 5 months)
Safety parameters - blood sample - Potassium
Measuring levels of potassium
Time frame: Measured every four weeks through the study (for 5 months)
Safety parameters - blood sample - Natrium
Measuring levels of natrium
Time frame: Measured every four weeks through the study (for 5 months)
Safety parameters - blood sample - creatinine
Measuring levels of creatinine
Time frame: Measured every four weeks through the study (for 5 months)
Safety parameters - blood sample - CRP
Measuring levels of CRP
Time frame: Measured every four weeks through the study (for 5 months)
Safety parameters - blood sample - Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
Measuring levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
Time frame: Measured every four weeks through the study (for 5 months)
Safety parameters - blood sample - bilirubin
Measuring levels of bilirubin
Time frame: Measured every four weeks through the study (for 5 months)
Safety parameters - blood sample - alkaline phosphatase
Measuring levels of alkaline phosphatase
Time frame: Measured every four weeks through the study (for 5 months)
Safety parameters - blood sample - Thyreoid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Measuring levels of TSH
Time frame: Measured every four weeks through the study (for 5 months)
Safety parameters - blood sample - p-ionized calcium
Measuring levels of p-ionized calcium
Time frame: Measured every four weeks through the study (for 5 months)
Safety parameters - blood sample - PTH
Measuring levels of PTH
Time frame: Measured every four weeks through the study (for 5 months)
Safety parameters - blood sample - Ca ++
Measuring levels of Ca2+
Time frame: Measured every four weeks through the study (for 5 months)
Safety parameters - blood sample - 25-OH vitamin D.
Measuring levels of vitamin D
Time frame: Measured every four weeks through the study (for 5 months)