title: [Strategies to promote testosterone deficiency syndrome: a paradigm of disease mongering].
abstract: The so-called «testosterone deficiency syndrome» is a blend of nonspecific symptoms typical of the physiological process of aging. This syndrome has been the subject of intense promotional activity that has presented the phenomenon as highly prevalent and with a major public health impact. This strategy has been accompanied by the emergence of new and easy to administer testosterone devices into the pharmaceutical market and has generated significant sales for drug companies. The commercial promotion of testosterone deficiency syndrome and its remedies has exploited cultural stereotypes of aging and sexuality through awareness campaigns promoted by the laboratories involved and has been disseminated by media with the participation of numerous experts and with the support of scientific associations, representing a paradigmatic case of disease mongering. This example might be of use in the response to disease mongering activities from the clinical and public health fields.
authors.affiliation: Medicina de Familia, Área de Salud de Plasencia, Cáceres, España. Electronic address: enrique.gavilan@yahoo.es.
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gavilán
authors.affiliation: Medicina de Familia, Área de Salud de Plasencia, Cáceres, España.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jiménez de Gracia
authors.affiliation: Medicina General, Equipo CESCA, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gérvas
mesh_terms: D000329:Advertising; D005162:Factitious Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013577:Syndrome; D013739:Testosterone / Q000172:deficiency*
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone
keywords: Androgen deficiency in aging men; Deficiencia de andrógenos en personas mayores; Disease awareness; Marketing; Sensibilización sobre enfermedades; Testosterona; Testosterone