On Research and Support in Geriatrics, Including Design for a Study of Muscular Strength in the Aged*

A Pilot Study of Anabolic Steroids in Elderly Patients With Hip Fractures

“…Anecdotal and uncontrolled reports suggested an improvement in weight, muscle strength, sexual function, and an overall sense of well‐being. Virilizing side effects limited the use of the medication 6 . For this reason, investigators shifted their attention to other anabolic substances that had a lower risk of virilizing side effects.…”

“…For this reason, investigators shifted their attention to other anabolic substances that had a lower risk of virilizing side effects. Early uncontrolled reports with anabolic steroids suggested that they resulted in weight gain and an increased sense of well‐being 6 …”

“…Studies in athletes suggest that anabolic steroids, when combined with a training regimen, can result in increases in muscle mass and strength and enhanced athletic performance 2 – 5 . A number of studies have reported that anabolic steroids have beneficial effects in frail elderly subjects 6 …”

Anabolic agents in frail elderly patients

“…This has been reviewed by several authors. 115 Comfort first proposed a randomized controlled trial of anabolic steroids in the elderly in 1967, 116 but there have been few such trials and the numbers recruited have been small. 115 However, these agents do have significant adverse effects.…”