Deciding Which Testosterone Therapy to Prescribe

Trends in testosterone prescription amongst medical specialties: a 5-year CMS data analysis

Testosterone Therapy (TTh) trends have changed as a result of clinical research and market forces over the past several years. Understanding the trends or preferences regarding testosterone prescriptions remains unknown. Our objective was to assess both regional and national trends in TTh prescriptions amongst medical specialties within the United States between 2013 and 2017. Publicly available data from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Part D Prescriber database with regards to TTh prescriptions across a 5-year span (January 1, 2013-December 31, 2017) were analyzed. TTh therapies were consolidated into four categories: Topical, Oral, Injection and Pellet. Statistical analysis utilizing R 4.0.2 was performed on the resulting data. Trends in prescription modality claim count and cost were plotted over the study period while statistical analysis evaluated associations between TTh modality and medical specialist. We found that Endocrinologists and Urologists prescribed topical testosterone more than all other specialties (60.4% and 53.5%, respectively), while Family and Internal medicine physicians were more likely to prescribe injections (59.82% and 50.69%, respectively). Oral and pellet testosterone were rarely prescribed across all specialties. In conclusion, the wide variation in modalities of testosterone prescriptions illustrates an opportunity for treatment guidelines to be streamlined across all specialists to improve patient outcomes.

European Association of Urology Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health-2021 Update: Male Sexual Dysfunction

CONTEXT

The present summary of the European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines is based on the latest guidelines on male sexual health published in March 2021, with a last comprehensive update in January 2021.

OBJECTIVE

To present a summary of the 2021 version of the EAU guidelines on sexual and reproductive health.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A literature review was performed up to January 2021. The guidelines were updated, and a strength rating for each recommendation was included based on either a systematic review of the evidence or a consensus opinion from the expert panel.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Late-onset hypogonadism is a clinical condition in the ageing male combining low levels of circulating testosterone and specific symptoms associated with impaired hormone production and/or action. A comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic work-up, along with screening recommendations and contraindications, is provided. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the persistent inability to attain and maintain an erection sufficient to permit satisfactory sexual performance. Along with a detailed basic and advanced diagnostic approach, a novel decision-making algorithm for treating ED in order to better tailor therapy to individual patients is provided. The EAU guidelines have adopted the definition of premature ejaculation (PE), which has been developed by the International Society for Sexual Medicine. After the subtype of PE has been defined, patient's expectations should be discussed thoroughly and pharmacotherapy must be considered as the first-line treatment for patients with lifelong PE, whereas treating the underlying cause must be the initial goal for patients with acquired PE. Haemospermia is defined as the appearance of blood in the ejaculate. Several reasons of haemospermia have been acknowledged; the primary goal over the management work-up is to exclude malignant conditions and treat any other underlying cause.

CONCLUSIONS

The 2021 guidelines on sexual and reproductive health summarise the most recent findings, and advise in terms of diagnosis and treatment of male hypogonadism and sexual dysfunction for their use in clinical practice. These guidelines reflect the multidisciplinary nature of their management.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Updated European Association of Urology guidelines on sexual and reproductive health are presented, addressing the diagnosis and treatment of the most prevalent conditions in men. Patients must be fully informed of all relevant diagnostic and therapeutic options and, together with their treating physicians, decide on optimal personalised management strategies.

An update on heart disease risk associated with testosterone boosting medications

INTRODUCTION

The cardiovascular (CV) safety of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) remains a crucial issue in the management of subjects with late-onset hypogonadism. The authors systematically reviewed and discussed the available evidence focusing our analysis on heart-related issues.

AREAS COVERED

All the available data from prospective observational studies evaluating the role endogenous T levels on the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were collected and analyzed. In addition, the impact of TRT on heart-related diseases, as derived from pharmaco-epidemiological studies as well as from randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs), was also investigated.

EXPERT OPINION

Available evidence indicates that endogenous low T represents a risk factor of AMI incidence and its related mortality. TRT in hypogonadal patients is able to improve angina symptoms in subjects with ischemic heart diseases and exercise ability in patients with heart failure (HF). In addition, when prescribed according to the recommended dosage, TRT does not increase the risk of heart-related events.