TY - JOUR
T1 - The effect of the weak androgen oxandrolone on psychological and behavioral characteristics in growth hormone-treated girls with Turner syndrome
AU - Menke, Leonie A.
AU - Sas, Theo C.J.
AU - Visser, Martje
AU - Kreukels, Baudewijntje P.C.
AU - Stijnen, Theo
AU - Zandwijken, Gladys R.J.
AU - de Muinck Keizer-Schrama, Sabine M.P.F.
AU - Otten, Barto J.
AU - Wit, Jan M.
AU - Cohen-Kettenis, Peggy T.
PY - 2010/3
Y1 - 2010/3
N2 - The weak androgen oxandrolone (Ox) increases height gain in growth-hormone (GH) treated girls with Turner syndrome (TS), but may also give rise to virilizing side effects. To assess the effect of Ox, at a conventional and low dosage, on behavior, aggression, romantic and sexual interest, mood, and gender role in GH-treated girls with TS, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was conducted. 133 patients were treated with GH (1.33 mg/m 2/d) from baseline, combined with placebo (Pl), Ox 0.03 mg/kg/d, or Ox 0.06 mg/kg/d from the age of eight, and with estrogens from the age of 12. The child behavior checklist (CBCL), Junior Dutch Personality Questionnaire (DPQ-J), State-subscale of the Spielberger's State-Trait Anger Scale, Romantic and Sexual Interest Questionnaire, Mood Questionnaire, and Gender Role Questionnaire were filled out before, during, and after discontinuing Ox/Pl. The changes during Ox/Pl therapy were not significantly different between the dosage groups. In untreated patients, the mean CBCL total (P = 0.002) and internalizing (P = 0.003) T scores, as well as the mean DPQ-J social inadequacy SD score (SDS) (P = 0.004) were higher than in reference girls, but decreased during GH + Ox/Pl therapy (P < 0.001, P = 0.05, P < 0.001, respectively). Whereas the mean total (P = 0.01) and internalizing (P < 0.001) T score remained relatively high, the mean social inadequacy SDS became comparable with reference values. We conclude that in GH-treated girls with TS, Ox 0.03 mg/kg/d or 0.06 mg/kg/d does not cause evident psychological virilizing side effects. Problem behavior, frequently present in untreated girls with TS, decreases during therapy, but total and internalizing problem behavior remain increased.
AB - The weak androgen oxandrolone (Ox) increases height gain in growth-hormone (GH) treated girls with Turner syndrome (TS), but may also give rise to virilizing side effects. To assess the effect of Ox, at a conventional and low dosage, on behavior, aggression, romantic and sexual interest, mood, and gender role in GH-treated girls with TS, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was conducted. 133 patients were treated with GH (1.33 mg/m 2/d) from baseline, combined with placebo (Pl), Ox 0.03 mg/kg/d, or Ox 0.06 mg/kg/d from the age of eight, and with estrogens from the age of 12. The child behavior checklist (CBCL), Junior Dutch Personality Questionnaire (DPQ-J), State-subscale of the Spielberger's State-Trait Anger Scale, Romantic and Sexual Interest Questionnaire, Mood Questionnaire, and Gender Role Questionnaire were filled out before, during, and after discontinuing Ox/Pl. The changes during Ox/Pl therapy were not significantly different between the dosage groups. In untreated patients, the mean CBCL total (P = 0.002) and internalizing (P = 0.003) T scores, as well as the mean DPQ-J social inadequacy SD score (SDS) (P = 0.004) were higher than in reference girls, but decreased during GH + Ox/Pl therapy (P < 0.001, P = 0.05, P < 0.001, respectively). Whereas the mean total (P = 0.01) and internalizing (P < 0.001) T score remained relatively high, the mean social inadequacy SDS became comparable with reference values. We conclude that in GH-treated girls with TS, Ox 0.03 mg/kg/d or 0.06 mg/kg/d does not cause evident psychological virilizing side effects. Problem behavior, frequently present in untreated girls with TS, decreases during therapy, but total and internalizing problem behavior remain increased.
KW - Aggression
KW - Androgen
KW - Behavior
KW - Estrogen replacement therapy
KW - Gender role
KW - Growth hormone
KW - Mood
KW - Oxandrolone
KW - Sexuality
KW - Turner syndrome
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77649188801&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2009.12.011
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2009.12.011
M3 - Article
C2 - 20053349
SN - 0018-506X
VL - 57
SP - 297
EP - 305
JO - Hormones and Behavior
JF - Hormones and Behavior
IS - 3
ER -