DHEA and quality of life

摘要

We were interested to read the paper 'Effects of dehydroepiand-rosterone sulphate (DHEAS) replacement on insulin action and quality of life in hypopituitary females: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study' by McHenry et al. This is an important clinical issue in the management of hypopituitarism. Unfortunately, there are some problems in the design of the study and interpretation of the results, which limit the conclusions that can be drawn.The trial was powered to look at insulin sensitivity and not quality of life; the small numbers of patients studied render a conclusion about quality of life inaccurate. In addition, in the previously published trials of DHEA, an effect on quality of life has rarely been seen as early as 12 weeks, and therefore, it is no surprise that in such a small group and with such a short time period of follow-up, there was no apparent benefit. There have been other placebo-controlled trials looking at quality of life in hypopituitary women. In contrast to McHenry and colleagues' study of 11 female patients over 12 weeks, our own trial included 26 female patients over 6 months.