title: Men with testosterone deficiency and a history of cardiovascular diseases benefit from long-term testosterone therapy: observational, real-life data from a registry study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Long-term testosterone therapy (TTh) in men with hypogonadism has been shown to improve all components of the metabolic syndrome. In this study, we investigated the effects of long-term TTh up to 8 years in hypogonadal men with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  
  
  METHODS
  In two urological clinics observational registries, we identified 77 hypogonadal men receiving TTh who also had a history of CVD. The effects of TTh on anthropometric and metabolic parameters were investigated for a maximum duration of 8 years. Any occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events was reported. All men received long-acting injections of testosterone undecanoate at 3-monthly intervals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 77 hypogonadal men with a history of CVD who received TTh, we observed a significant weight loss and a decrease in waist circumference and body mass index. Mean weight decreased from 114±13 kg to 91±9 kg, change from baseline: -24±1 kg and -20.2%±0.5%. Waist circumference decreased from 112±8 cm to 99±6 cm, change from baseline: -13±0.3 cm. Body mass index decreased from 37±4 to 29±3, change from baseline: -8±0.2 kg/m(2). Cardio-metabolic parameters such as lipid pattern, glycemic control, blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse pressure all improved significantly and sustainably. No patient suffered a major adverse cardiovascular event during the full observation time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In men with hypogonadism, TTh appears to be effective in achieving sustained improvements in all cardiometabolic risk factors and may be effective as an add-on measure in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in hypogonadal men with a history of CVD.
authors.affiliation: Private Urology Practice, Bremerhaven, Germany.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haider
authors.affiliation: Institute for Urology and Andrology, Segeberger Kliniken, Norderstedt, Germany; Department of Preventive Medicine, Men's Health Program, Dresden International University, Dresden, Germany; Department of Urology, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Aksam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yassin
authors.affiliation: Private Urology Practice, Bremerhaven, Germany.
authors.forename: Karim Sultan
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Haider
authors.affiliation: Department for Epidemiology and Statistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Gheorghe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Doros
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates; Global Medical Affairs Andrology, Bayer Pharma AG, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Farid
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Saad
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Centre for Clinical and Basic Science, San Raffaele-Roma, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe Mc
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Rosano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005858:Germany; D006304:Health Status; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012042:Registries; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055105:Waist Circumference; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids; D013739:Testosterone; C010792:testosterone undecanoate
keywords: cardiovascular risk; hypogonadism; long-term testosterone therapy; secondary prevention; testosterone