Burn-treatment comparison leaves liver-enzyme differences uncertain
Among adults with major burns, elevated liver enzymes were not clearly different between oxandrolone and testosterone. Early drug discontinuation was more frequent with oxandrolone, but this preliminary comparison cannot establish causation.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The study did not establish a difference between the drugs in transaminitis, meaning elevated liver enzymes. Although the observed rate was numerically higher with oxandrolone, the result was statistically uncertain. Early discontinuation was more common with oxandrolone. Because treatment was not randomly assigned, these findings do not establish that testosterone was safer.
These were preliminary data from one center, with fewer testosterone recipients. The abstract gives no observation period, confidence intervals or information about adjustment for differences between treatment groups.
What researchers found
Transaminitis incidence
Oxandrolone: 38%; testosterone: 28%; p = .596. The observation period was not reported, and the nonsignificant comparison does not establish equal risk.
What the main outcome measured
The primary endpoint was an elevated liver-enzyme finding. This is a laboratory outcome; it should not be presented as a measured difference in liver failure, overall recovery or survival.
A separate discontinuation result
Early discontinuation occurred in 33% of oxandrolone recipients versus 0% of testosterone recipients, a statistically significant comparison. The abstract does not explain why each treatment was stopped or provide the timing of discontinuation.
The original publication
A Preliminary Analysis of the Incidence of Transaminitis Observed in Oxandrolone Versus Testosterone Therapy in Major Burn Injury.
DeWitt A, Hoppe A, Ivanko A et al.
J Burn Care Res · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 40568970
- Record checked
AI-assisted research and writing. This explains one selected publication; it is not a complete review of everything known. Our approach.
One more question, understood.
Keep track of the research you’ve explored.