Premium
Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone on quality of life in premenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis: A preliminary randomized clinical trial
Author(s) -
Sandoughi Mahnaz,
Kaykhaei Mahmoud Ali,
Langarizadeh Elnaz,
Dashipour Alireza
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of rheumatic diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1756-185X
pISSN - 1756-1841
DOI - 10.1111/1756-185x.13975
Subject(s) - medicine , rheumatoid arthritis , quality of life (healthcare) , dehydroepiandrosterone , erythrocyte sedimentation rate , placebo , adverse effect , randomized controlled trial , visual analogue scale , physical therapy , arthritis , hormone , androgen , alternative medicine , pathology , nursing
Aim Chronic inflammation and subsequent use of glucocorticoids can lead to relative adrenocortical insufficiency in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Previously, adrenocortical hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was shown as a potential therapy for autoimmune disorders. However, data regarding effects of DHEA in RA are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of DHEA on quality of life (QOL) in premenopausal rheumatoid arthritis patients. Method In this randomized double blinded, controlled trial 46 premenopausal rheumatoid arthritis patients were assigned to receive 50 mg/d DHEA (23 patients) or placebo (23 patients) for 12 weeks. Disease Activity Score of 28 joints – erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28‐ESR) questionnaire, visual analog score and swollen and tender joint counts (both 0‐28) were used for assessment of disease activity. Persian‐validated World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief version (WHOQOL BREF) questionnaire was used to assess quality of life. Results In comparison to the control group more improvement in QOL ( P = .025) and environment health ( P = .001) was observed in the DHEA group. After adjustment for age and disease duration DHEA was associated with more improvement in QOL ( P = .01), psychological ( P = .02) and physical health ( P = .03). A trend toward a decrease in ESR was observed in DHEA group ( P = .06). DAS was improved in both groups; however, there was no significant change in DAS28 between groups ( P = .88). Frequency of adverse events albeit minor was similar in both groups. Conclusion Our study supports a slightly superior effect of DHEA over placebo to improve QOL in premenopausal female patients with rheumatoid arthritis. We did not find improvement in DAS in the DHEA group over placebo.