By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Annalisa Merelli
Published on 2024-01-17 22:00:54
Testosterone plays a vital role in maintaining bone health in men, as it helps to sustain bone density and improve bone microarchitecture, thus preventing fractures. However, a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has challenged the conventional wisdom on the relationship between testosterone treatment and fracture prevention in older men with hypogonadism.
The study, which involved 5,204 men between the ages of 45 and 80 with hypogonadism, found that treating them with low-dose testosterone gel did not reduce their risk of fractures compared to those who were given a placebo. This unexpected result has raised questions about the efficacy of testosterone therapy in preventing fractures in older men with low testosterone levels.
Even before the trial began, researchers had estimated that the group receiving testosterone treatment would have a 30% lower risk of fractures compared to the placebo group. However, after three years into the study, the cumulative incidence of fractures was found to be 3.8% in the testosterone group, while it was 2.8% in the placebo group. This finding contradicted the initial expectations and has prompted further investigation into the potential risks and benefits of testosterone therapy for older men with hypogonadism.
It is important to note that the study is part of a larger ongoing trial sponsored by AbbVie, the maker of AndroGel, a testosterone gel, which aims to evaluate the long-term effects of testosterone therapy in this population.
This unexpected outcome challenges previous assumptions about the role of testosterone in preventing fractures and underscores the need for more research to better understand the risks and benefits of testosterone therapy in older men with hypogonadism. As the debate continues, it is essential to critically evaluate the current understanding of testosterone’s impact on bone health and how it should inform treatment decisions for men with low testosterone levels.
Read the original article on Africa Health News
