[ad_1]
The researchers found that aging men taking testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) had a slightly higher risk of ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or myocardial infarction, particularly in both men and women. first years of use. Their study was published in The American Journal of Medicine.
TRT is increasingly prescribed to relieve nonspecific symptoms of aging, such as fatigue and a modest decline in badual functioning. Thus, while reported rates of low testosterone levels (hypogonadism) have remained stable, TRT prescriptions have risen sharply over the past 20 years.
With this in mind, researchers from the Jewish General Hospital of Canada and McGill University badyzed a database of electronic medical records of patients enrolled in primary care practices in the United Kingdom and formed a cohort of 15,401 men with hypogonadism aged 45 and over. Their study was specifically aimed at studying men with low levels of testosterone due to aging and not to known secondary causes.
The study found that TRT users had a 21% higher risk of cardiovascular events than non-users, which corresponds to 128 additional events. The increase in risk seems to be transient and decrease after two years of use of TRT, which investigators attribute to a phenomenon called "exhaustion of sensitive subjects".
"Our results show that the use of TRT was badociated with an increased risk of stroke, TIA or cardiac arrest during the first two years of use" , said Dr. Christel Renoux, corresponding author of the study.
One interesting finding was that the current use of TRT was badociated with a reduced risk of overall mortality and that prior use at an increased risk. Although this may indicate a protective effect on mortality, it could also be due to reverse causality, with clinicians interrupting TRT treatment in patients whose health status was deteriorating. The researchers had access to patients' medical histories and were able to adapt to comorbidities.
Dr. Renoux acknowledged that further studies should be conducted to reaffirm the results. "Until then," she said, "the potential cardiovascular risk of TRT must be weighed against the perceived and expected benefits for aging men – a perspective that aligns with warnings issued by health agencies.
"There is little evidence on the long-term clinical benefits of TRT to effectively treat the slightly lower levels of endogenous testosterone levels in elderly but healthy men. We strongly recommend that clinicians act with caution when considering prescribing a TRT and first discussing potential benefits and risks with patients. "
