Endocrine Abstracts

Glucocorticoids reduce inflammation and preserve muscle function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) but cause pubertal delay. Consideration of testosterone treatment for the induction of puberty was introduced as part of the International Care Considerations in DMD in 2018 but the timing of this and methods used to induce puberty vary. It also remains unclear what happens to endogenous testosterone levels once testosterone supplementation is stopped, particularly in the context of ongoing GC therapy.

The aims of this session are to understand:

The cause and impact of delayed puberty in DMD

Assessment and treatment of delayed puberty in DMD

Follow-up after pubertal induction in DMD

Conversations surrounding sexual health and fertility in DMD

The causes of pubertal delay in DMD will be summarised and the evidence base for pubertal induction reviewed, which confirms that testosterone is safe and well tolerated in this population and may also be associated with an increase in contractile muscle bulk. The variations in international practice will be highlighted using results from a recent survey and in particular, with respect to ongoing surveillance of hypogonadism after pubertal induction. Finally, the views of young men regarding some of the awkward conversations surrounding sexual health and fertility in DMD will be shared from a recent qualitative study.