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Shalender Bhasin, Juan P. Brito, Glenn R. Cunningham | The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | (2018)
Abstract
Abstract Objective To update the “Testosterone Therapy in Men With Androgen Deficiency Syndromes” guideline published in 2010. Participants The participants include an Endocrine Society–appointed task force of 10 medical content experts and a clinical practice guideline methodologist. Evidence This evidence-based guideline was developed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach to describe the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence. The task force commissioned two systematic reviews and used the best available evidence from other published systematic reviews and individual studies. Consensus Process One group meeting, several conference calls, and e-mail communications facilitated consensus development. Endocrine Society committees and members and the cosponsoring organization were invited to review and comment on preliminary drafts of the guideline. Conclusions We recommend making a diagnosis of hypogonadism only in men with symptoms and signs consistent with testosterone (T) deficiency and unequivocally and consistently low serum T concentrations. We recommend measuring fasting morning total T concentrations using an accurate and reliable assay as the initial diagnostic test. We recommend confirming the diagnosis by repeating the measurement of morning fasting total T concentrations. In men whose total T is near the lower limit of normal or who have a condition that alters sex hormone–binding globulin, we recommend obtaining a free T concentration using either equilibrium dialysis or estimating it using an accurate formula. In men determined to have androgen deficiency, we recommend additional diagnostic evaluation to ascertain the cause of androgen deficiency. We recommend T therapy for men with symptomatic T deficiency to induce and maintain secondary sex characteristics and correct symptoms of hypogonadism after discussing the potential benefits and risks of therapy and of monitoring therapy and involving the patient in decision making. We recommend against starting T therapy in patients who are planning fertility in the near term or have any of the following conditions: breast or prostate cancer, a palpable prostate nodule or induration, prostate-specific antigen level > 4 ng/mL, prostate-specific antigen > 3 ng/mL in men at increased risk of prostate cancer (e.g., African Americans and men with a first-degree relative with diagnosed prostate cancer) without further urological evaluation, elevated hematocrit, untreated severe obstructive sleep apnea, severe lower urinary tract symptoms, uncontrolled heart failure, myocardial infarction or stroke within the last 6 months, or thrombophilia. We suggest that when clinicians institute T therapy, they aim at achieving T concentrations in the mid-normal range during treatment with any of the approved formulations, taking into consideration patient preference, pharmacokinetics, formulation-specific adverse effects, treatment burden, and cost. Clinicians should monitor men receiving T therapy using a standardized plan that includes: evaluating symptoms, adverse effects, and compliance; measuring serum T and hematocrit concentrations; and evaluating prostate cancer risk during the first year after initiating T therapy.
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Sample Definition And Size
The guideline was developed by an Endocrine Society–appointed task force comprising 10 medical content experts and a clinical practice guideline methodologist. It is based on two commissioned systematic reviews: the first included 11 reports from four randomized, placebo-controlled trials with a total of 1,779 hypogonadal men; the second included nine reports from three randomized, placebo-controlled trials with a total of 1,581 men. ([doi.org](https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2018-00229))
Study Type
This is an evidence-based clinical practice guideline developed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach, informed by systematic reviews and consensus processes. ([doi.org](https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2018-00229))
Conflicts Of Interest
All task force members declared potential conflicts of interest via standardized forms, which were reviewed by the Clinical Guidelines Subcommittee. The Endocrine Society provided all funding for the guideline; the task force received no funding or remuneration from commercial or other entities. ([doi.org](https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2018-00229))
Results Summary
Key findings from the first systematic review: testosterone therapy produced small but statistically significant improvements in libido (SMD 0.17; 95% CI 0.01–0.34), erectile function (SMD 0.16; 95% CI 0.06–0.27), sexual activity (SMD 0.23; 95% CI 0.13–0.33), and sexual satisfaction (SMD 0.16; 95% CI 0.01–0.31); no significant effects on energy or mood; limited data showed improvements in bone mineral density but not cognition. From the second review: testosterone therapy was associated with a significantly increased risk of erythrocytosis (hematocrit >54%) with a relative risk of 8.14 (95% CI 1.87–35.40); no significant difference in lower urinary tract symptoms (mean difference 0.38; 95% CI –0.67 to 1.43). ([doi.org](https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2018-00229))
Here's a paper on current testing of T guidelines from the Endocrine Society