Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) Effects on Physical Performance: A Systematic Review of Randomized...

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are potential treatments for ameliorating age-related physical dysfunctions caused by sarcopenia, cachexia and chronic illnesses such as cancer. The purpose of this systematic review is to analyse the effect of SARMs on physical performance and body and evaluate their safety profile.

A systematic review search criteria following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was performed in three databases for studies reporting physical parameter outcomes after SARM intervention. Study variables included title, author, publication date, study year, number of patients, dosage, mean age, mean follow-up time, pre and post-intervention outcomes and rates of complications.

Nine studies, including 970 patients with a mean age of 57.1 years (35.3-75.9) and a mean follow-up of 80 days (14-180), were included. Six SARMs were analysed: LGD-4033, PF-06260414, GSK2881078, GTx-024, MK-0773 and OPK-88004. Mean pre-intervention stair climbing power (five studies), one repetition maximum leg press (four studies) and short physical performance battery (SPPB) score (two studies), lean body mass (seven studies) and fat mass (five studies) were 352.24 W (69.79-678.7), 1822.77 N (1176.8-2407.3), 9.15 (7.95-9.9), 49.46 kg (30.94-63.9) and 21.99 kg (13.3-33), respectively. Mean post-intervention values were 315.16 W (89.46-525.73 W), 2191.27 N (1375.87-2462.9 N), 9.79 (8.88-10.4), 50.86 kg (31.02-67.29) and 21.85 kg (12.54-32.16), respectively.

SARMs have a positive effect on physical performance and body composition and are associated with moderate rates of mild to moderate adverse effects (AEs) and a low rate of severe AEs.