Louis J Gooren1, Hermann M Behre. 1. Department of Endocrinology, Vrije Universiteit medical center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. louisjgooren@gmail.com
Abstract
AIM: An analysis of variations in diagnosing and treating testosterone (T) deficiency between different regions of the world in 2006 was repeated in 2010. METHODS: Physicians were interviewed in Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, Brazil and Saudi Arabia about (1) reasons to use/not to use T. (2) safety (prostate pathology) and other concerns in the decision not to provide T treatment. (3) the actual usage of T preparations for treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). RESULTS: More men were treated with T in 2010. ED and lack of libido (2006) but also depression and obesity (2010) were regarded as symptoms of T deficiency. For 70% of physicians, severity of complaints was more significant than the laboratory value of T to prescribe T, more so in Germany (96%) than in Spain and Saudi Arabia. Concerns about prostate disease remained strong and, therefore, 11% of eligible patients did not receive T. PDE-5 inhibitors are more often combined with T in 2010 for ED. CONCLUSION: More appropriate studies and more education of physicians are needed on diagnosing T deficiency, on the role of T in ED and on the evidence-based relative safety of T treatment.
AIM: An analysis of variations in diagnosing and treating testosterone (T) deficiency between different regions of the world in 2006 was repeated in 2010. METHODS: Physicians were interviewed in Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, Brazil and Saudi Arabia about (1) reasons to use/not to use T. (2) safety (prostate pathology) and other concerns in the decision not to provide T treatment. (3) the actual usage of T preparations for treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). RESULTS: More men were treated with T in 2010. ED and lack of libido (2006) but also depression and obesity (2010) were regarded as symptoms of T deficiency. For 70% of physicians, severity of complaints was more significant than the laboratory value of T to prescribe T, more so in Germany (96%) than in Spain and Saudi Arabia. Concerns about prostate disease remained strong and, therefore, 11% of eligible patients did not receive T. PDE-5 inhibitors are more often combined with T in 2010 for ED. CONCLUSION: More appropriate studies and more education of physicians are needed on diagnosing T deficiency, on the role of T in ED and on the evidence-based relative safety of T treatment.
Authors: Alan L Kaplan; Jim C Hu; Abraham Morgentaler; John P Mulhall; Claude C Schulman; Francesco Montorsi Journal: Eur Urol Date: 2015-12-21 Impact factor: 20.096
Authors: Michael A Bell; Jeffrey D Campbell; Gregory Joice; Nikolai A Sopko; Arthur L Burnett Journal: World J Mens Health Date: 2018-03-22 Impact factor: 5.400