| Learning Objective #1: Identify the pros and cons of using exercise and/or oxandrolone in HIV-infected adults | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Discuss the impact of a change in functional capacity on health status and quality of life |
Methods. Subjects were randomly assigned to oxandrolone+exercise or oxandrolone placebo+exercise. At baseline and week 12 we measured certain demographic variables, TOT and health status.
Results. Functional capacity (TOT) increased by 32% (3 minutes) in the oxandrolone+exercise group which was greater than the increase observed in the placebo+exercise group (F[GroupXTime] =5.5, p=0.03). Using a regression model including TOT, group, and age as predictors of a change in MOS-HIV subscales, only Health Distress showed a greater improvement in the oxandrolone+exercise group (F=7.4, p=0.01). Although there was no difference between the groups in change in Vitality (F=0.11, p=0.75) or QOL (F=0.10, p=0.75), there was a trend toward a greater increase in Vitality (F=3.8, p=0.07) and QOL (F=3.4, p=0.08) with an increase in TOT. In addition, there was a trend in older subjects toward an increase in Vitality (F=3.5, p=0.08) and QOL (F=3.6, p=0.08) for a given increase in TOT.
Conclusions. Subjects in both groups benefited from this intervention. Those who received oxandrolone+exercise had the added benefit of an increase in functional capacity as measured by TOT; however, other than an improved Health Distress score, oxandrolone+exercise had little impact over placebo+exercise on other MOS-HIV subscales.