Effect of Testosterone Replacement on Anemia and Quality of Life amongst Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis

Objective: To study the effect of Testosterone replacement therapy in improving the level of anemia and quality of life in males undergoing hemodialysis due to chronic renal failure (CRF). Study Design: Randomized controlled trial (ANZCTR Trial ID ACTRN12624001137583). Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from Jan 2024 to Jun 2024. Methodology: 160 patients were randomized into two groups, one to receive Testosterone supplementation therapy (Group A) (n=80) and one to receive placebo (Group B) (n=80). Primary variables studied were improvement in Aging Males Symptoms (AMS) scores and Hb levels. Secondary variables were changes in Testosterone levels (free and total serum levels). Results: 160 patients were randomized into two groups, one to receive Testosterone supplementation therapy (Group A) (n=80) and one to receive placebo (Group B) (n=80). Mean hemoglobin levels between both groups were 8.38±1.12 versus 8.34±1.12 g/dl before therapy (p=0.834), 8.13±1.12 versus 8.10±1.16 g/dl at 3 months of therapy (p=0.891) and 8.10±1.10 versus 8.09±1.17 g/dl at 6 months of therapy (p=0.945). Median (IQR) values for total AMS scores between both groups were 36.00 (3.00) versus 36.00 (2.00) before therapy (p=0.954), 34.00 (2.00) versus 36.00 (4.00) at 3 months of therapy (p