Diagnosing and treating testosterone deficiency in different parts of the world. Results from global market research.
OBJECTIVE
This study analysed variations between different regions of the world in diagnosing and treating testosterone (T) deficiency.


METHODS
Physicians were interviewed in Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom, in Brazil, in Saudi Arabia and South Korea. Items in the survey: 1) reasons/motivation to use or not to use T; 2) what category of patients would not receive T on the basis of these concerns; 3) concerns about prostate pathology in the decision not to provide T treatment; 4) phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors are efficacious, but T treatment makes a comeback.


RESULTS
Between 5% and 10% of consulting patients suffered from T deficiency. The fear to induce prostate cancer appeared very powerful. About 68% of physicians associate the use of T more with risks than benefits, more so in Europe than elsewhere. As a result about 35% of hypogonadal men do not receive treatment. The PDE-5 inhibitors are very prominent in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Of patients suffering from erectile dysfunction, 18% to 29% have T deficiency which is not always diagnosed and treated.


CONCLUSIONS
World-wide physicians require more education on diagnosing T deficiency, on the role of T in erectile dysfunction and the relative safety of testosterone treatment.
Gooren
Louis J
LJ
Endocrinology/Andrology, Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ljgooren@truemail.co.th
Behre
Hermann M
HM
Saad
Farid
F
Frank
Annika
A
Schwerdt
Sebastian
S
D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014943:Global Health; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D040541:Marketing; D054526:Men's Health; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000139:chemically induced; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D013739:Testosterone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000728:Androgens; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D013739:Testosterone