Corona G, Rastrelli G, Di Pasquale G, Sforza A, Mannucci E, Maggi M. Testosterone and Cardiovascular Risk: Meta-Analysis of Interventional Studies.
J Sex Med 2019;
15:820-838. [PMID:
29803351 DOI:
10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.04.641]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The relationship between testosterone (T) and cardiovascular (CV) risk in men is conflicting.
AIM
To verify whether T therapy (TTh) represents a possible risk factor for CV morbidity and mortality.
METHODS
We conducted a random effect meta-analysis considering all available data from pharmaco-epidemiological studies as well as randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs).
OUTCOMES
CV mortality and morbidity were investigated.
RESULTS
After screening, 15 pharmaco-epidemiological and 93 RCT studies were considered. The analysis of pharmaco-epidemiological studies documented that TTh reduces overall mortality and CV morbidity. Conversely, in RCTs, TTh had no clear effect, either beneficial or detrimental, on the incidence of CV events. However, a protective role of TTh on CV morbidity was observed when studies enrolling obese (body mass index >30 kg/m2) patients were scrutinized (Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio 0.51 [95% CI 0.27-0.96]; P = .04), although this association disappeared when only high-quality RCTs were considered (Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio 0.64 [95% CI 0.22-1.88]; P = .42). Finally, an increased risk of CV diseases was observed in RCTs when T preparations were prescribed at dosages above those normally recommended, or when frail men were considered.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Pharmaco-epidemiological studies showed that TTh might reduce CV risk, but this effect was not confirmed when RCTs were considered.
STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS
Meta-analysis of pharmaco-epidemiological studies indicates that TTh reduces overall mortality and CV morbidity. In addition, even in RCTs, a protective role of TTh on CV morbidity was envisaged when studies enrolling obese (body mass index >30 kg/m2) patients were considered. Pharmaco-epidemiological studies should be considered with caution due to the lack of completeness of follow-up and of the management of missing data. In addition, properly powered placebo-controlled RCTs with a primary CV end point, in men with late-onset hypo-gonadism, are not yet available. Finally, the duration of all studies evaluated in the present meta-analysis is relatively short, reaching a maximum of 3 years.
CONCLUSIONS
Data from RCTs suggest that treatment with T is not effective in reducing CV risk, however, when TTh is correctly applied, it is not associated with an increase in CV risk and it may have a beneficial effect in some sub-populations. Corona G, Rastrelli G, Di Pasquale G, et al. Testosterone and Cardiovascular Risk: Meta-Analysis of Interventional Studies. J Sex Med 2018;15:820-838.
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