Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on cardiovascular risk factors in older women with frailty characteristics.

What this study found

DHEA improved endocrine markers but did not significantly improve cardiovascular risk factors over 6 months. Circulating DHEA-S, estradiol, estrone, and testosterone increased, and SHBG declined, while lipid profiles, blood pressure, abdominal or total fat, and fasting glucose showed no significant change. The intervention was well tolerated, with 23 adverse events after randomization (14 in the DHEA group and 9 in the placebo group). Overall, DHEA appeared safe in relation to cardiovascular risk, but it did not produce a favorable cardiometabolic effect.

Study & population

Randomized controlled trial in community-dwelling, postmenopausal older women with frailty characteristics and low DHEA-S levels.

Intervention

Oral dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) 50 mg/day for 6 months.

Key limitation

Short 6-month follow-up and a modest sample limit detection of clinical cardiometabolic effects.

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