Background/objectives: 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).
Patients and 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.
Conclusion: 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.
Keywords: cardiovascular risk; hypogonadism; long-term testosterone therapy; secondary prevention; testosterone.