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Corona G, Rastrelli G, Sparano C, Carinci V, Casella G, Vignozzi L, Sforza A, Maggi M. Cardiovascular safety of testosterone replacement therapy in men: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2024; 23:565-579. [PMID: 38553429 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2024.2337741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The cardiovascular (CV) safety of testosterone (T) replacement therapy (TRT) is still conflicting. Recent data suggested a TRT-related increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to systematic review and meta-analyze CV risk related to TRT as derived from placebo controlled randomized trials (RCTs). AREAS COVERED An extensive Medline, Embase, and Cochrane search was performed. All placebo-controlled RCTs reporting data on TRT-related CV safety were considered. To better analyze the role of T on AF, population-based studies investigating the relationship between endogenous circulating T levels and AF incidence were also included and analyzed. EXPERT OPINION Out of 3.615, 106 studies were considered, including 8.126 subjects treated with TRT and 7.310 patients allocated to placebo. No difference between TRT and placebo was observed when major adverse CV events were considered. Whereas the incidence of non-fatal arrhythmias and AF was increased in the only trial considering CV safety as the primary endpoint, this was not confirmed when all other studies were considered (MH-OR 1.61[0.84;3.08] and 1.44[0.46;4.46]). Similarly, no relationship between endogenous T levels and AF incidence was observed after the adjustment for confounders Available data confirm that TRT is safe and it is not related to an increased CV risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Corona
- Endocrinology Unit, Azienda AUSL, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Rastrelli
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Mario Serio" Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Clotilde Sparano
- Endocrinology Unit, Mario Serio" Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Valeria Carinci
- Cardiology Unit, Azienda AUSL, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianni Casella
- Cardiology Unit, Azienda AUSL, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Linda Vignozzi
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Mario Serio" Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Mario Maggi
- Endocrinology Unit, Mario Serio" Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Handelsman DJ, Grossmann M, Yeap BB, Stuckey BGA, Shankara-Narayana N, Conway AJ, Inder WJ, McLachlan RI, Allan C, Jenkins AJ, Jesudason D, Bracken K, Wittert GA. Long-term Outcomes of Testosterone Treatment in Men: A T4DM Postrandomization Observational Follow-up Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 109:e25-e31. [PMID: 37623257 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT The T4DM study randomized 1007 men with impaired glucose tolerance or newly diagnosed diabetes to testosterone undecanoate (TU, 1000 mg) or matching placebo (P) injections every 12 weeks for 24 months with a lifestyle program with testosterone (T) treatment reducing diabetes diagnosis by 40%. BACKGROUND The long-term effects on new diagnosis of diabetes, cardiovascular and prostate disease, sleep apnea, weight maintenance trajectory and androgen dependence were not yet described. METHODS A follow-up email survey after a median of 5.1 years since last injection obtained 599 (59%) completed surveys (316 T, 283 P), with participants in the follow-up survey compared with nonparticipants in 23 anthropometric and demographic variables. RESULTS Randomization to was TU associated with stronger belief in study benefits during (64% vs 49%, P < .001) but not after the study (44% vs 40%, P = .07); there is high interest in future studies. At T4DM entry, 25% had sleep apnea with a new diagnosis more frequent on TU (3.0% vs 0.4%, P = .03) during, but not after, the study. Poststudy, resuming prescribed T treatment was more frequent among TU-treated men (6% vs 2.8%, P = .03). Five years after cessation of TU treatment there was no difference in self-reported rates of new diagnosis of diabetes, and prostate or cardiovascular disease, nor change in weight maintenance or weight loss behaviors. CONCLUSION We conclude that randomized T treatment for 24 months in men with impaired glucose tolerance or new diabetes but without pathological hypogonadism was associated with higher levels of self-reported benefits and diagnosis of sleep apnea during, but not after, the study as well as more frequent prescribed poststudy T treatment consistent with androgen dependence in some men receiving prolonged injectable TU.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Handelsman
- ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney and Department of Andrology, Concord Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia
| | - Mathis Grossmann
- Department of Medicine Austin Health, The University of Melbourne and Department of Endocrinology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Bu B Yeap
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Bronwyn G A Stuckey
- Keogh Institute for Medical Research, and Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Nandini Shankara-Narayana
- ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney and Department of Andrology, Concord Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia
| | - Ann J Conway
- ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney and Department of Andrology, Concord Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia
| | - Warrick J Inder
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, and PA-Southside Clinical Unit, Medical School, the University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Robert I McLachlan
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Carolyn Allan
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Alicia J Jenkins
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - David Jesudason
- Department of Endocrinology, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, SA 5011, Australia
| | - Karen Bracken
- Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2064, Australia
| | - Gary A Wittert
- Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 506, Australia
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Blackwell K, Blackwell M, Blackwell T. Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Cardiovascular Disease: Balancing Safety and Risks in Hypogonadal Men. Curr Cardiol Rep 2023; 25:1157-1163. [PMID: 37733143 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-023-01935-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to analyze the link between testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and adverse cardiovascular (CV) events. RECENT FINDINGS: A few published studies suggest a link between TRT and CV events. These studies contained flaws, and many other studies reveal a reduction in CV events. Hypogonadism is associated with increased mortality in men with CVD. TRT in hypogonadal men can improve many CVD risk factors, reduce QT interval prolongation, lead to better outcomes in heart failure patients, and slow the progression of atherosclerosis. The use of TRT to achieve physiologic testosterone concentrations in men does not pose a threat to CV health and has demonstrated a cardioprotective effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelli Blackwell
- UTMB 301 University Blvd, Rebecca Sealy Bldg 5.138, Galveston, TX, 77554, USA
| | - Michele Blackwell
- UTMB 301 University Blvd, Rebecca Sealy Bldg 5.138, Galveston, TX, 77554, USA
| | - Thomas Blackwell
- UTMB 301 University Blvd, Rebecca Sealy Bldg 5.138, Galveston, TX, 77554, USA.
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Díez-Escuté N, Arbelo E, Martínez-Barrios E, Cerralbo P, Cesar S, Cruzalegui J, Chipa F, Fiol V, Zschaeck I, Hernández C, Campuzano O, Sarquella-Brugada G. Sex differences in long QT syndrome. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1164028. [PMID: 37082456 PMCID: PMC10110834 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1164028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is a rare, inherited channelopathy characterized by cardiac repolarization dysfunction, leading to a prolonged rate-corrected QT interval in patients who are at risk for malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias, syncope, and even sudden cardiac death. A complex genetic origin, variable expressivity as well as incomplete penetrance make the diagnosis a clinical challenge. In the last 10 years, there has been a continuous improvement in diagnostic and personalized treatment options. Therefore, several factors such as sex, age diagnosis, QTc interval, and genetic background may contribute to risk stratification of patients, but it still currently remains as a main challenge in LQTS. It is widely accepted that sex is a risk factor itself for some arrhythmias. Female sex has been suggested as a risk factor in the development of malignant arrhythmias associated with LQTS. The existing differences between the sexes are only manifested after puberty, being the hormones the main inducers of arrhythmias. Despite the increased risk in females, no more than 10% of the available publications on LQTS include sex-related data concerning the risk of malignant arrhythmias in females. Therein, the relevance of our review data update concerning women and LQTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Díez-Escuté
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Arbelo
- Arrhythmia Section, Cardiology Department, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- IDIBAPS, Institut d’Investigació August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
- European Reference Network for Rare, Low Prevalence and Complex Diseases of the Heart, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Estefanía Martínez-Barrios
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patricia Cerralbo
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Cesar
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Cruzalegui
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Freddy Chipa
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victoria Fiol
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Zschaeck
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara Hernández
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar Campuzano
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGI, Girona, Spain
- Correspondence: Oscar Campuzano Georgia Sarquella-Brugada
| | - Georgia Sarquella-Brugada
- Arrhythmia, Inherited Cardiac Diseases and Sudden Death Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- European Reference Network for Rare, Low Prevalence and Complex Diseases of the Heart, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Correspondence: Oscar Campuzano Georgia Sarquella-Brugada
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Fir(e)ing the Rhythm. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2022.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
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Lazzerini PE, Cantara S, Bertolozzi I, Accioli R, Salvini V, Cartocci A, D'Errico A, Sestini F, Bisogno S, Cevenini G, Capecchi M, Laghi-Pasini F, Castagna MG, Acampa M, Boutjdir M, Capecchi PL. Transient Hypogonadism Is Associated With Heart Rate-Corrected QT Prolongation and Torsades de Pointes Risk During Active Systemic Inflammation in Men. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 11:e023371. [PMID: 34935398 PMCID: PMC9075210 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.023371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Systemic inflammation and male hypogonadism are 2 increasingly recognized “nonconventional” risk factors for long‐QT syndrome and torsades de pointes (TdP). Specifically, inflammatory cytokines prolong, while testosterone shortens the heart rate–corrected QT interval (QTc) via direct electrophysiological effects on cardiomyocytes. Moreover, several studies demonstrated important interplays between inflammation and reduced gonad function in men. We hypothesized that, during inflammatory activation in men, testosterone levels decrease and that this enhances TdP risk by contributing to the overall prolonging effect of inflammation on QTc. Methods and Results We investigated (1) the levels of sex hormones and their relationship with inflammatory markers and QTc in male patients with different types of inflammatory diseases, during active phase and recovery; and (2) the association between inflammatory markers and sex hormones in a cohort of male patients who developed extreme QTc prolongation and TdP, consecutively collected over 10 years. In men with active inflammatory diseases, testosterone levels were significantly reduced, but promptly normalized in association with the decrease in C‐reactive protein and interleukin‐6 levels. Reduction of testosterone levels, which also inversely correlated with 17‐β estradiol over time, significantly contributed to inflammation‐induced QTc prolongation. In men with TdP, both active systemic inflammation and hypogonadism were frequently present, with significant correlations between C‐reactive protein, testosterone, and 17‐β estradiol levels; in these patients, increased C‐reactive protein and reduced testosterone were associated with a worse short‐term outcome of the arrhythmia. Conclusions During systemic inflammatory activation, interleukin‐6 elevation is associated with reduced testosterone levels in males, possibly deriving from an enhanced androgen‐to‐estrogen conversion. While transient, inflammatory hypotestosteronemia is significantly associated with an increased long‐QT syndrome/TdP risk in men.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvia Cantara
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences University of Siena Italy
| | - Iacopo Bertolozzi
- Cardiology Intensive Therapy Unit Department of Internal Medicine Nuovo Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio Florence Italy
| | - Riccardo Accioli
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences University of Siena Italy
| | - Viola Salvini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences University of Siena Italy
| | | | - Antonio D'Errico
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences University of Siena Italy
| | - Fausta Sestini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences University of Siena Italy
| | - Stefania Bisogno
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences University of Siena Italy
| | | | - Matteo Capecchi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences University of Siena Italy
| | - Franco Laghi-Pasini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences University of Siena Italy
| | | | | | - Mohamed Boutjdir
- VA New York Harbor Healthcare SystemSUNY Downstate Health Sciences University New York NY.,NYU School of Medicine New York NY
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