The effect of oxandrolone on body proportions and body composition in growth hormone-treated girls with Turner syndrome

P>Objective Untreated girls with Turner syndrome (TS) have short stature, relatively broad shoulders, a broad pelvis, short legs, a high fat mass and low muscle mass. Our objective was to assess the effect of the weak androgen oxandrolone (Ox) on body proportions and composition in growth hormone (GH)-treated girls with TS. Design/Patients 133 patients were included in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Methods Patients were treated with GH (1 center dot 33 mg/m2 per day) from baseline, combined with placebo (Pl) or Ox in a low (0 center dot 03 mg/kg per day) or previously conventional (0 center dot 06 mg/kg per day) dose from the age of eight, and oestrogens from the age of twelve. Sitting height, biacromial and biiliacal distances compared with height (i.e. shape values), BMI, waist circumference, sum of 4 skinfolds (sum4skin) and upper arm muscle area (UAMA) SD scores (SDS) were assessed half-yearly. Results Compared with GH + Pl, adult shape values on GH + Ox tended to be higher for sitting height (Ox 0 center dot 03, P = 0 center dot 2; Ox 0 center dot 06, P = 0 center dot 02) and biacromial distance (Ox 0 center dot 03, P = 0 center dot 2; Ox 0 center dot 06, P = 0 center dot 07) and lower for biiliacal distance (Ox 0 center dot 03, P = 0 center dot 004; Ox 0 center dot 06, P = 0 center dot 08). Sum4skin SDS tended to decrease more (Ox 0 center dot 03, P = 0 center dot 2; Ox 0 center dot 06, P = 0 center dot 005) while UAMA SDS increased more (Ox 0 center dot 03, P < 0 center dot 001; Ox 0 center dot 06, P < 0 center dot 001) than on GH + Pl. The increase in BMI and waist circumference SDS was comparable between the dosage groups. Conclusions In GH-treated girls with TS, Ox 0 center dot 06 increases sitting height and tends to increase biacromial distance and decrease biiliacal distance, while Ox 0 center dot 03 significantly decreases biiliacal distance compared with height. Furthermore, Ox 0 center dot 06 reduces subcutaneous fat mass, and both Ox dosages increase muscle mass.