title: A Pilot Study Using a Web Survey to Identify Characteristics That Influence Hypogonadal Men to Initiate Testosterone Replacement Therapy.
abstract: Men with hypogonadism (HG) who choose testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may have distinct characteristics that provide insight as to why they may/may not initiate therapy. The aim of the current study was to identify trends in patient characteristics and attitudes in men diagnosed with HG who initiated TRT (TRT+) compared with men who were diagnosed with HG but did not initiate TRT (TRT-). The market research-based online survey conducted between 2012 and 2013 included patients from a Federated Sample, a commercially available panel of patients with diverse medical conditions. The current analysis was composed of two groups: TRT+ ( n = 155) and TRT- ( n = 157). Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and attitudes toward HG and TRT were examined as potential predictors of primary adherence in men with HG; cohorts were compared by using Fisher's exact test. Significant associations among sexual orientation, relationship status, educational level, presence of comorbid erectile dysfunction, area of residence, and TRT initiation were present ( p ≤ .05). College-educated, heterosexual, married men with comorbid erectile dysfunction living in suburban and urban areas were more likely to initiate treatment. The most bothersome symptoms reported were lack of energy (90% vs. 81%, p = .075), decreased strength and endurance (86% vs. 76%, p = .077), and deterioration in work performance (52% vs. 31%, p = .004); lack of energy prompted men to seek help. Patients (48%) in the TRT+ group were more knowledgeable regarding HG as compared with TRT- respondents (14%, p < .001), and most men obtained their information from a health care professional (89% vs. 82%, p = .074). The current analysis identified distinct demographic and clinical characteristics and attitudes among TRT users compared with men who were diagnosed with HG yet remained untreated.
authors.affiliation: 1 New England Research Institutes Inc., Watertown, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Raymond C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.affiliation: 2 Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Allen D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Seftel
authors.affiliation: 3 Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Dustin D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Ruff
authors.affiliation: 3 Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Muram
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003710:Demography; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone
keywords: hypogonadism; market research survey; patient characteristics; testosterone replacement therapy
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