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Objective: To determine the effect of testosterone vs placebo treatment on health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) and psychosocial function in men without pathologic hypogonadism in the context of a lifestyle intervention., Design, Setting, Participants: Secondary analysis of a 2-year randomized controlled testosterone therapy trial for prevention or reversal of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, enrolling men ≥ 50 years at high risk for type 2 diabetes from 6 Australian centers., Interventions: Injectable testosterone undecanoate or matching placebo on the background of a community-based lifestyle program., Main Outcomes: Self-reported measures of HR-QOL/psychosocial function., Results: Of 1007 participants randomized into the Testosterone for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T4DM) trial, 648 (64%) had complete data available for all HR-QOL/psychosocial function assessments at baseline and 2 years. Over 24 months, while most measures were not different between treatment arms, testosterone treatment, compared with placebo, improved subjective social status and sense of coherence. Baseline HR-QOL/psychosocial function measures did not predict the effect of testosterone treatment on glycemic outcomes, primary endpoints of T4DM. Irrespective of treatment allocation, larger decreases in body weight were associated with improved mental quality of life, mastery, and subjective social status. Men with better baseline physical function, greater sense of coherence, and fewer depressive symptoms experienced greater associated decreases in body weight, with similar effects on waist circumference., Conclusion: In this diabetes prevention trial, weight loss induced by a lifestyle intervention improved HR-QOL and psychosocial function in more domains than testosterone treatment. The magnitude of weight and waist circumference reduction were predicted by baseline physical function, depressive symptomology, and sense of coherence., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Endocrine Society.)

A biochemical diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is defined by an elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) with a normal serum free thyroxine (FT4). This paper discusses SCH in the Australian population, the impact of SCH on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and the evidence for thyroid hormone therapy as well as exercise therapy to improve HRQoL in SCH. The prevalence of SCH in Australia is approximately 4-5% and is higher in females and the elderly. Current evidence suggests thyroid hormone therapy is not associated with an improvement in HRQoL. However, there does appear to be a subgroup of those with SCH that experience an impairment in HRQoL who may potentially benefit from treatment. Because the majority of research to date has been done in elderly, largely asymptomatic individuals, this may not be representative of the entire SCH population. In addition, alternative treatments, such as exercise therapy, have not been well explored in the literature, despite exercise therapy's effects on HRQoL in other populations. Further research is required to define clearly which individuals with SCH are likely to experience an impaired HRQoL, as well as explore the effects of thyroid hormone therapy and exercise therapy in these individuals., (© 2021 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.)

Men receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer (PCa) are likely to develop metabolic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, abdominal obesity and osteoporosis. Other treatment-related side effects adversely influence quality of life (QoL) including vasomotor distress, depression, anxiety, mood swings, poor sleep quality and compromised sexual function. The objective of this study was to systematically review the nature and effects of dietary and exercise interventions on QoL, androgen deprivation symptoms and metabolic risk factors in men with PCa undergoing ADT. An electronic search of CINAHL, CENTRAL, Medline, PsychINFO and reference lists was performed to identify peer-reviewed articles published between January 2004 and December 2014 in English. Eligible study designs included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with pre- and post-intervention data. Data extraction and assessment of methodological quality with the Cochrane approach was conducted by two independent reviewers. Seven exercise studies were identified. Exercise significantly improved QoL, but showed no effect on metabolic risk factors (weight, waist circumference, lean or fat mass, blood pressure and lipid profile). Two dietary studies were identified, both of which tested soy supplements. Soy supplementation did not improve any outcomes. No dietary counselling studies were identified. No studies evaluated androgen-deficiency symptoms (libido, erectile function, sleep quality, mood swings, depression, anxiety and bone mineral density). Evidence from RCTs indicates that exercise enhances health- and disease-specific QoL in men with PCa undergoing ADT. Further studies are required to evaluate the effect of exercise and dietary interventions on QoL, androgen deprivation symptoms and metabolic risk factors in this cohort., (© 2016 Society for Endocrinology.)

Background and Objective: Long-term adverse effects of oral glucocorticoids are frequent and serious. Large between-patient variability in the pharmacokinetics of prednisolone might explain why drug dose is a poor predictor of drug-related toxicity. The aim of the study was to investigate relationships between prednisolone exposure and adverse effects., Methods: Male kidney transplant recipients were recruited for serial blood sampling and assessment of glucocorticoid-related adverse effects including dyslipidaemia, abnormal body fat distribution, Cushingoid appearance and impaired quality of life. Total and free prednisolone plasma concentrations were determined using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection. Prednisolone exposure was estimated using a limited sampling strategy., Results: Fifty-six patients were recruited. Patients had a mean age of 54 years and median time post-transplantation of 75 months. Median prednisolone dose was 5 mg. Mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve was 2390 nmol h/L (±580) (SD) and 175 nmol h/L (±78) for total and free prednisolone, respectively. Waist to upper arm circumference ratio was positively associated with free prednisolone plasma exposure with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.30 (p value 0.02). The correlation coefficient was 0.24 (p value 0.08) for neck to upper arm circumference ratio and free prednisolone plasma exposure. The clinical Cushingoid phenotype as determined by the Visual Assessment of Cushing's Severity (VACS) score was associated with a reduced score relating to physical functioning on the SF-12, but there was no significant relationship between free prednisolone plasma exposure and quality-of-life scores. Lipid levels and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were not associated with total or free prednisolone exposure., Conclusions: There is a positive correlation between free prednisolone plasma exposure and waist to upper arm circumference ratio in adult male kidney transplant recipients on low maintenance prednisolone doses. There is no significant association between total or free prednisolone plasma exposure and plasma glucose and lipid levels in the low prednisolone dose range.

Context: Patients with Addison's disease (AD) report impaired subjective health status (SHS). Since cortisol exhibits a robust circadian cycle that entrains other biological clocks, impaired SHS may be due to the noncircadian cortisol profile achieved with conventional glucocorticoid replacement. Continuous subcutaneous hydrocortisone infusion (CSHI) reproduces a circadian cortisol profile, but its effects on SHS have not been objectively evaluated., Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of CSHI on SHS in AD., Setting and Design: This was a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of CSHI vs oral glucocorticoid therapy. Participants received in random order 4 weeks of: CSHI and oral placebo, and subcutaneous placebo and oral hydrocortisone, separated by a 2-week washout period. SHS was assessed using the Short-Form 36 (SF-36), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Fatigue Scale (FS), Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS); and Addison's Quality of Life Questionnaire (AddiQoL). Participants were asked their (blinded) treatment preference. Twenty-four hour urine free cortisol (UFC) and diurnal salivary cortisol collections compared cortisol exposure during each treatment., Results: Ten participants completed the study. Baseline SHS scores (mean ± SE) were consistent with mild impairment: SF-36 physical component summary 48.4 (± 2.4), mental component summary 53.3 (± 3.0); GHQ-28 18.1 (± 3.3); GSRS 3.7 (± 1.6), and AddiQoL 94.7 (± 3.7). FS was similar to other AD cohorts 13.5 (± 1.0) (P = 0.82). UFC between treatments was not different (P = 0.87). The salivary cortisol at 0800 h was higher during CSHI (P = 0.03), but not at any other time points measured. There was no difference between the treatments in the SHS assessments. Five participants preferred CSHI, four oral hydrocortisone, and one was uncertain., Conclusions: Biochemical measurements indicate similar cortisol exposure during each treatment period, although a more circadian pattern was evident during CSHI. CSHI does not improve SHS in AD with good baseline SHS. This casts some doubt on the potential benefit of circadian cortisol delivery on SHS in AD.

Abstract: Growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy was recently recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) for listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for adults with severe GH deficiency and impaired quality of life. This approval was significant for two reasons. First, the application was initiated and coordinated by a health professional working group, who prepared a ‘public interest’ submission to PBAC. Second, it resulted in a recommendation to subsidise therapy for a rare disease after two prior rejections on the basis of uncertainty about efficacy and cost effectiveness. There are important lessons to learn about the power of professional groups to drive health policy and attain funding for rare diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Graves' hyperthyroidism commonly causes tachycardia and may result in pulmonary hypertension and high output cardiac failure. There is limited information regarding the effect of treatment on cardiac function measured using modern echocardiographic techniques.Methods: Eight individuals with Graves' hyperthyroidism, aged 22-64 years, underwent comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography at three time points: before treatment, two weeks after commencement of carbimazole, and at six months or more when euthyroid. Exercise capacity was assessed using the 6-minute-walk-distance (6MWT), and quality of life was assessed by Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short-Form Health Status Survey.Results: All individuals were rendered euthyroid by final assessment. At presentation, there was evidence of hyperdynamic right ventricular function as measured by peak systolic velocity of the free wall of the tricuspid annulus, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and right ventricular ejection fraction, which normalised after resolution of thyrotoxicosis. Baseline heart rate correlated significantly with severity of the thyrotoxicosis for either free T4 (r = 0.91, p=0.01) or free T3 (r=0.94, p=0.001). No individual had measurable pulmonary hypertension. Cardiac output was significantly lower in the euthyroid compared to the thyrotoxic state (p=0.03). A higher baseline TSH-receptor antibody titre corresponded to a greater improvement in exercise capacity (r=0.76, p<0.05) and physical quality of life (r=0.73, p<0.05) on resolution of the hyperthyroidism.Conclusion: Graves' hyperthyroidism causes increased cardiac output and a hyperdynamic right ventricle which normalise on restoration of the euthyroid state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Men receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer (PCa) are likely to develop metabolic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, abdominal obesity and osteoporosis. Other treatment-related side effects adversely influence quality of life (QoL) including vasomotor distress, depression, anxiety, mood swings, poor sleep quality and compromised sexual function. The objective of this study was to systematically review the nature and effects of dietary and exercise interventions on QoL, androgen deprivation symptoms and metabolic risk factors in men with PCa undergoing ADT. An electronic search of CINAHL, CENTRAL, Medline, PsychINFO and reference lists was performed to identify peerreviewed articles published between January 2004 and December 2014 in English. Eligible study designs included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with pre- and post-intervention data. Data extraction and assessment of methodological quality with the Cochrane approach was conducted by two independent reviewers. Seven exercise studies were identified. Exercise significantly improved QoL, but showed no effect on metabolic risk factors (weight, waist circumference, lean or fat mass, blood pressure and lipid profile). Two dietary studies were identified, both of which tested soy supplements. Soy supplementation did not improve any outcomes. No dietary counselling studies were identified. No studies evaluated androgen-deficiency symptoms (libido, erectile function, sleep quality, mood swings, depression, anxiety and bone mineral density). Evidence from RCTs indicates that exercise enhances health- and disease-specific QoL in men with PCa undergoing ADT. Further studies are required to evaluate the effect of exercise and dietary interventions on QoL, androgen deprivation symptoms and metabolic risk factors in this cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]