Next Article in Journal
Anemia and Iron Deficiency in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Data from the Know-Ped CKD Study
Next Article in Special Issue
The Optimal Indication for Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Late Onset Hypogonadism
Previous Article in Journal
Syncope in a Working-Age Population: Recurrence Risk and Related Risk Factors
Previous Article in Special Issue
Evidence for a Common Genetic Origin of Classic and Milder Adult-Onset Forms of Isolated Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
JCM
Volume 8
Issue 2
10.3390/jcm8020151
jcm-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Predictive Factors of Efficacy Maintenance after Testosterone Treatment Cessation

by
Min Gu Park
1,
Jeong Kyun Yeo
2,
Sun Gu Park
3,
Woong Na
4 and
Du Geon Moon
5,*
1
Department of Urology, Men’s Health Clinic, Inje University, Seoul Paik Hospital, Seoul 04551, Korea
2
Department of Urology, Inje University, Seoul Paik Hospital, Seoul 04551, Korea
3
Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Daejeon Health Institute of Technology, Daejeon 34504, Korea
4
Department of Urology, National Medical Center, Seoul 04564, Korea
5
Department of Urology, Korea University, Guro Hospital, Seoul 08308, Korea
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Clin. Med. 2019, 8(2), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8020151
Submission received: 6 January 2019 / Revised: 17 January 2019 / Accepted: 28 January 2019 / Published: 29 January 2019
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Testosterone and Men’s Health: From Evidence to Clinical Practice)
Browse Figure
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
There is no conclusive evidence as to whether patients with testosterone deficiency (TD) who benefit from testosterone treatment (TRT) must continue the treatment for the rest of their lives. In some patients, the effect of TRT does not maintained after stopping TRT and, some patients show no significant TD symptoms, with normal testosterone levels after TRT cessation. Therefore, we investigated the predictive factors of response maintenance after TRT cessation. A total of 151 men with TD who responded to TRT were followed up for six months after TRT discontinuation. Ninety-two patients (Group I) failed to show response maintenance; 59 patients (Group II) had a maintained response. The groups did not differ in baseline characteristics or the type of TRT (oral, gel, short/long-acting injectables). However, TRT duration was significantly longer (10.7 vs. 5.2 months), and peak total testosterone (TT) level was significantly higher (713.7 vs. 546.1 ng/dL), in Group II than in Group I. More patients regularly exercised in Group II than in Group I (45.8% vs. 9.8%, p < 0.001). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that exercise (B = 2.325, odds ratio = 10.231, p < 0.001) and TRT duration (B = 0.153, Exp(B) = 1.166, p < 0.001) were independent predictive factors of response maintenance. In men with TD who respond to TRT, longer treatment periods can improve the response durability after TRT cessation, regardless of the type of TRT. Additionally, regular exercise can increase the probability of maintaining the response after TRT cessation.

1. Introduction

Testosterone deficiency (TD) refers to various hypogonadal symptoms resulting from inadequate testosterone production in males. TD not only causes sexual dysfunctions, such as reduced libido and erectile dysfunction, but also results in physical symptoms, such as fatigue and obesity, and cognitive symptoms, such as depression and poor memory, all of which undermine quality of life. The literature has consistently shown that low testosterone levels are associated with an increased incidence of major adverse cardiac events, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and death [1]. Adequate levels of androgenic steroids such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone are also very important in the nervous system, which is a major target of androgens that regulate sexual, reproductive, and aggressive behaviors, but also control cognitive abilities, such as language tasks [2,3]. Androgens in the nervous system are involved in development of appropriate neuronal connectivity through the regulation of neurite (dendritic and axonal) outgrowth [2,3]. With the exception of cases undergoing certain infertility treatments, TD can be treated with testosterone gel, oral testosterone, and injectable testosterone [4]. Numerous studies have examined the short-term effects of these testosterone agents. Studies that have examined long-term effects of testosterone agents also show benefits. In follow-up results of the BLAST study, which screened a population of 199 patients for 3.8 years, Hackett et al. reported that long-term testosterone treatment (TRT) was related to a continuous decrease in waist circumference and an increase in erectile function [5]. According to Yassin et al.’s single-center, cumulative, prospective, and registry 10-year study of injectable testosterone undecanoate (TU) treatment on 115 hypogonadal men, endocrine and metabolic parameters continuously improved for up to 7–8 years and were maintained well afterward, without major adverse cardiovascular events [6]. Thus, TRT has positive effects on body composition and insulin sensitivity, as well as on sexual symptoms, which are the most typical TD symptoms [4].
However, there is no conclusive evidence as to whether patients with TD who benefit from TRT must continue the treatment for the rest of their lives. In some patients, the effect of TRT does not persist after treatment cessation, provoking a return to baseline [7,8]. In contrast, some patients show no significant TD symptoms, with normal TT levels, after TRT cessation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the predictive factors of maintained TRT efficacy after treatment cessation.

2. Experimental Section

From 2011 to 2016, 720 patients with hypogonadism were treated at our institute. Among these, 151 men who responded to TRT and had six months of follow-up after the discontinuation of TRT were included in this retrospective study. Only patients with a serum total testosterone (TT) level of less than 350 ng/dL (measured more than once) and TD symptoms including erectile dysfunction were included. Patients with congenital hypogonadism, such as Klinefelter and Kallmann syndromes, and those with an acquired form of hypogonadism due to ‘organic’ damage to the brain or testis were excluded. During TRT, those who withdrew from the study due to side effects from the drug or lack of treatment efficacy were excluded from the analysis.
TRT includes oral testosterone undecanoate (TU), 2% testosterone gel (T-gel), injectable testosterone enanthate (TE) 250 mg, and injectable TU 1,000 mg, alone or in combination. Oral TU started at 80 mg bidaily, and was adjusted to 40–80 mg bidaily according to the change in TT level. Oral TU was administered after meals. T-gel, in the amount obtained from five pumps of the dispenser, was applied to the inside of both sides of thighs or abdomen early in the morning, and the number of pumps was adjusted to 4–6 times according to the change in TT. TE injection was performed every two weeks, and the interval was adjusted to every two to three weeks according to the change in TT. Injectable TU was injected at 6 weeks after the first injection and then injected once every 12 weeks. The injection interval was adjusted to 10–12 weeks according to the change in TT.
Data were collected from medical records including: TRT duration (duration was the prescription period for oral TU and T-gel, and the period from the last injection plus 3 to 12 weeks was calculated as the treatment period for TE and TU, respectively), type of TRT, age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), comorbidities, lifestyle factors (alcohol, smoking, and exercise ≥20 min of moderate intensity three times per week), IIEF (International Index of Erectile Function), AMS (Aging Males’ Symptom) score, and results of baseline serologic tests. Serologic parameters included baseline and post TRT PSA (prostate specific antigen), Hb, Hct, glucose, and baseline total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, baseline serum total testosterone (TT) levels, the highest TT level during TRT, and the most recent TT level at six months after TRT discontinuation. Response maintenance was determined by a normal serum TT level for the most recent TT assessment at six months after TRT discontinuation and a positive response to a global assessment question about TD symptoms. The global assessment question read, “Has the improvement of your TD symptoms resulting from TRT been well maintained since the TRT cessation?”. Blood samples were obtained before 11:00 a.m., and serum TT levels were measured by radioimmunoassay.
The patients were divided into two groups: Group I comprised patients who failed to show a maintained response, and Group II comprised patients who had a maintained response over six months after TRT cessation. Group differences were evaluated using the independent t-test or Pearson’s chi-square test, as appropriate, and comparisons between pre- and post-treatment in each group were evaluated using the paired t-test. In addition, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictive factors of response maintenance. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS ver. 22.0 (IBM Co., Armonk, NY, USA). For all statistical tests, two-tailed p-values lower than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

3. Results

3.1. Baseline Characteristics

Among 151 patients, 92 patients failed to show response maintenance (Group I; 60.9%) while 59 patients had a maintained response (Group II; 30.1%) over six months after TRT cessation. There were no significant differences between the groups in age, comorbidities, waist circumference, and BMI. There was no significant difference in IIEF and AMS scores between the two groups prior to treatment. Serologic parameters associated with PSA, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and metabolic status did not differ between the two groups. There were also no significant differences between the two groups in the frequency of drinking and smoking. However, the patients in Group II more frequently engaged in regular exercise (>3 times a week for at least 20 min with moderate intensity) than did those in Group I (45.8% vs. 9.8%, p < 0.001) (Table 1).

3.2. Treatment-Related Factors

Testosterone gel was used in about half of the patients in both groups. In Group II, the proportion of patients using short-acting TE injection was relatively lower than that in Group I, and of the proportion patients using long-acting TU injection was relatively higher than that in Group I. However, there was no significant overall difference in the type of TRT between the two groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the mean baseline TT level. However, the peak TT level during TRT was significantly higher in Group II than in Group I (713.7 vs. 546.1 ng/dL, p < 0.001), and the increase in TT (highest-baseline) was significantly higher in Group II than in Group I (223.0 vs. 388.5 ng/dL, p < 0.001) (Figure 1, Table 2). In addition, the TRT duration was significantly longer in Group II than in Group I (10.7 vs. 5.2 months, p < 0.001). After TRT, IIEF, and AMS scores were significantly increased in both groups compared to baseline, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. PSA, Hb, and Hct were significantly elevated after treatment in both groups compared to baseline, but they did not increase beyond the normal range, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (Table 2).

3.3. Predictors of Response Maintenance

The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that exercise (B = 2.325, odds ratio: Exp(B) = 10.231, p < 0.001) and TRT duration (B = 0.153, Exp(B) = 1.166, p < 0.001) were independent predictive factors of response maintenance (Table 3).

4. Discussion

Various diverse factors are known to affect TT reduction. TD is associated with metabolic conditions, such as diabetes mellitus and obesity, the acute phase disease (a temporary decline, with the exception of factors such as drugs), organic hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis abnormalities, congenital testicular dysfunction, and acquired damage [9,10]. Numerous reports have shown that TT and TD symptoms improve only by controlling these underlying diseases and adopting lifestyle modifications [8,9,11]. However, most of the patients with TD that are seen in clinical practice have accompanying chronic fatigue, decreased physical strength, and depression. Thus, it is often difficult to properly practice lifestyle modifications, which are only effective when strictly carried out for a long period of time. The use of TRT at the beginning of therapy in such patients can lead to an increase in vitality, energy and mood, reducing fatigue and depression, and stimulating the will to live, which can enable patients to more actively pursue the necessary lifestyle modifications [12]. If TRT could be considered as a catalyst for a more effective adoption of lifestyle modifications, it could aid in improving patient compliance, maximizing the therapeutic effect, and maintaining treatment efficacy after TRT cessation. Consistent with this, the results from our previous study showed that practicing a supervised exercise together with TRT was associated with significantly better effects on TT elevation and symptom scores than that with TRT alone [8]. We were able to confirm that the continuation of supervised exercise alone aided in the maintenance of treatment efficacy after TRT cessation [8]. This previous study [8] showed that the group that performed supervised exercise showed greater sustained TRT efficacy than the control group at three months after cessation of TRT, but did not demonstrate that supervised exercise could be a substitute for TRT. A previous other study already reported that the greater the duration of TRT cessation, the more difficult it is to maintain the efficacy of TRT with only life style modifications such as exercise. Although, they did not conduct a supervised exercise program as in our previous study [8], Ng Tang Fui et al. carried out a 56-week double-blind RCT in which 100 patients with obesity and TD participated in a weight loss program of diet and exercise accompanied by TRT. They also observed 64 patients for additional 80 weeks or more while maintaining a weight loss program without TRT [12]. The results showed that body composition improvements that occurred with TRT were not maintained after TRT cessation, but returned to the baseline [12]. However, we believe that life style modification including exercise and diet reduces the risks, cost, and burden of TRT by reducing the TRT duration as much as possible. Furthermore, this approach can improve men’s overall health, as it actively involves lifestyle modifications [12].
Several flawed studies raised concerns regarding the induction of cardiovascular disease (CVD) with TRT [13,14,15]; however, the recent AUA guideline [1] states that “men with low T should be counseled that low T is an independent risk factor for CVD” and subsequent studies [4,16,17,18,19] reported that TRT is relatively safe in terms of the risk for CVD and prostate cancer, as reflected in published guidelines [1,10,20,21,22]. Nevertheless, there are reports that the risk of thromboembolism may increase at the beginning of TRT [23,24]; thus, the safety of TRT remains inconclusive. In terms of prostate safety, the relative contraindications [23,24] for patients with severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) that were listed in previous guidelines have been excluded from the current guidelines [1,20,21,25,26], as subsequent studies suggested that TRT is helpful for patients with LUTS. Furthermore, the current guidelines have been updated to include statements that TRT can be carefully performed in patients with localized prostate cancer that is well controlled by surgical therapy, if the risk of relapse is not great [1,10,22]. However, in practice, a sudden elevation in PSA level and prostate enlargement have been observed in patients undergoing TRT. In addition, short-term side effects, such as skin issues, edema, flushing, etc., are clearly present in some patients [22]. Therefore, methods to minimize the TRT duration while increasing or maintaining the therapeutic effect, would be helpful for patients.
A previous study reported that symptom improvement was maintained after stopping the treatment with an average of seven months of TRT, even though the TT level returned to its original state [7]. In contrast, another study reported that, in frail elderly men, muscle strength and physical function were not maintained, but rather deteriorated with a decrease of TT, after the cessation of a six-month course of TRT [27]. Additionally, in our previous study, TT, erectile function, and symptoms, returned to pre-treatment levels three months after TRT discontinuation [8]. However, in actual clinical practice, there are patients who improve with TRT and experience maintained TRT efficacy, without deteriorations in symptoms and TT, even if TRT is discontinued. Thus, the present study sought to determine the characteristics of such patients by analyzing data that reflected clinical practice.
The present study revealed a significant difference in peak TT levels between patients with and without maintained efficacy after TRT cessation. In actual clinical practice, the dose and injection intervals for each testosterone agent are adjusted according to the elevated TT concentration level. Since steady-state physiological TT levels are reached after three days of oral TU administration, TT is measured about one week after treatment initiation, and the daily dose is then adjusted to 80–160 mg [28]. Steady-state TT levels are reached after two to three days of the application of 2% testosterone gel, thus, the dose should be adjusted to 2–4 g/day after two to three weeks of administration [28]. Short-acting injectable TE 250 mg is injected once every two to three weeks and the fluctuation in TT is large, resulting in large differences in TT according to the timing of assessment [28]. With long-acting injectable TU, the maximum TT level is reached after 11.4 days and the half-life is approximately 34 days, during which the TT concentration is well maintained within physiological levels [29]. The injection interval must be adjusted to 10–14 weeks, according to the TT level measured at the middle of the interval [29]. As such, there are differences in the maintenance of the TT level, as well as in the frequency of applying or injection, according to each drug. Thus, the peak TT may vary depending on the timing of the blood test. Therefore, while a higher TT level could result in a better maintenance of the treatment effect in the result of present study, it is possible that the observed group differences in the peak TT level and increase in TT relative to the baseline level do not reflect actual clinical implications regarding the effects of the agents on efficacy maintenance.
In the multivariate analysis, regular exercise and treatment duration were identified as factors significantly affecting the durability of treatment. The present study also found that the probability of a maintained efficacy after TRT cessation was 10 times higher in the patients who regularly exercised than in those who did not regularly exercise. Reductions in the serum insulin level [9], oxidative stress [30], the conversion of testosterone to estradiol by aromatase in adipose tissue [31], and a direct increase in the muscular and plasma dihydrotestosterone concentrations resulting from exercise and diet regulation [32] are known to underlie the improvement and maintenance of TT. In the present study, mean BMI was about 25. Therefore, the impact of exercise on loss of visceral fat and insulin resistance might be not relevant or important. Although further studies are needed to determine which exercise is more effective in increasing and maintaining TT, the results of our recent study suggest that the body composition and physical fitness parameters significantly correlated with serum TT are fat-related measures, such as body fat percentage or abdominal fat percentage (rather than muscle mass), and cardio-respiratory fitness, respectively. Therefore, aerobic exercise may be most helpful [33].
In the present study, patients with a maintained therapeutic efficacy had, on average, more than 10 months of sufficient treatment. On the other hand, patients without a maintained therapeutic efficacy had less than six months of treatment, reflecting a relatively short treatment period. In the TRT guidelines, the time until TRT becomes effective varies depending on the symptoms, and symptoms related to sexual function may be improved even after more than one year of treatment [10]. For the patients in the present study, who had the most common symptoms of erectile dysfunction, treatment durations of less than six months were not sufficient to obtain maximum efficacy, and consequently, the patients failed to maintain treatment efficacy after treatment cessation. With the exception of cases in which at least a two-year TRT period is required, such as those with affected bone density, more than one year of sufficient TRT is required, as recommended in the guidelines.
The present study was retrospective in nature and utilized data of patients receiving various agents, which may be considered a disadvantage. However, this study was based on actual clinical treatment patterns, and thus reflects more realistic situations than that in other prospective controlled studies. Because of the differences in the pharmaco-dynamics of each agent, we performed an analysis to determine whether these differences could affect the results regarding the durability of efficacy. The proportion of patients who received TE 250 mg, a short acting-agent, was higher in Group I than in Group II (14.1% (13/92) vs. 8.5% (5/59)). TE 250mg has the disadvantage of causing a large fluctuation in TT, thus the Hct is easily raised when used in older patients and TT is excessively raised to supra-physiologic levels [34]. In addition, Group I had a lower number of patients using long-acting injectable TU compared to that in Group II. The injectable TU has been reported to be superior to other injectable testosterone agents in terms of efficacy, safety, and compliance [35]. Studies that compared injectable TU with other testosterone gels also showed its better efficacy [36,37]. This advantage may have contributed to the maintenance of efficacy in this study. However, we did not find a significant difference in the type of testosterone agent between Groups I and II. It should be noted that about 10% of patients in both groups used two or more agents. The choice of testosterone agent is speculated to be closely related to the cost and convenience of the drug. The drug cost may lead to individual differences in dosage or compliance for oral TU or testosterone gel. While these are disadvantages of retrospective studies, these aspects also should be considered when treating patients with TD.
One of the limitations of this retrospective study is that bone mineral density, body composition, and muscle strength before and after the treatment, which are associated with TD symptoms and TRT efficacy, were not evaluated. In addition, serological results (glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, and LDL) except PSA, Hb, and Hct were not evaluated in all patients before the end of TRT. Since these data were limited, there were limitations in the ability to analyze whether these factors affected maintenance of efficacy.

5. Conclusions

In men with hypogonadism who respond to TRT, a longer treatment period can improve the durability of response after TRT cessation, regardless of the type of testosterone treatment. Furthermore, regular exercise can lead to 10-fold increase in the probability of a maintained response after TRT cessation. Thus, the adoption of regular exercise during therapy could reduce the risks, cost, and burden of TRT.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, D.G.M., W.N., and M.G.P.; Methodology, J.K.Y.; Software, S.G.P.; Validation, J.K.Y. and S.G.P.; Formal analysis, S.G.P.; Investigation, M.G.P.; Data curation, S.G.P.; Writing—original draft preparation, M.G.P.; Writing—review and editing, J.K.Y., W.N., and D.G.M.

Acknowledgments

This manuscript has been proofread and edited by Editage.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Mulhall, J.P.; Trost, L.W.; Brannigan, R.E.; Kurtz, E.G.; Redmon, J.B.; Chiles, K.A.; Lightner, D.J.; Miner, M.M.; Murad, M.H.; Nelson, C.J.; et al. Evaluation and Management of Testosterone Deficiency: AUA Guideline. J. Urol. 2018, 200, 423–432. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  2. Di Donato, M.; Bilancio, A.; D’Amato, L.; Claudiani, P.; Oliviero, M.A.; Barone, M.V.; Auricchio, A.; Appella, E.; Migliaccio, A.; Auricchio, F.; et al. Cross-talk between androgen receptor/filamin A and TrkA regulates neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. Mol. Biol. Cell 2015, 26, 2858–2872. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  3. Fargo, K.N.; Galbiati, M.; Foecking, E.M.; Poletti, A.; Jones, K.J. Androgen regulation of axon growth and neurite extension in motoneurons. Horm. Behav. 2008, 53, 716–728. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  4. Corona, G.; Sforza, A.; Maggi, M. Testosterone Replacement Therapy: Long-Term Safety and Efficacy. World J. Mens Health 2017, 35, 65–76. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  5. Hackett, G.; Cole, N.; Mulay, A.; Strange, R.C.; Ramachandran, S. Long-Term Testosterone Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes Is Associated with Decreasing Waist Circumference and Improving Erectile Function. World J. Mens Health 2018. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  6. Yassin, A.A.; Nettleship, J.; Almehmadi, Y.; Salman, M.; Saad, F. Effects of continuous long-term testosterone therapy (TTh) on anthropometric, endocrine and metabolic parameters for up to 10 years in 115 hypogonadal elderly men: Real-life experience from an observational registry study. Andrologia 2016, 48, 793–799. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  7. Tsujimura, A.; Takada, S.; Matsuoka, Y.; Hirai, T.; Takao, T.; Miyagawa, Y.; Nonomura, N.; Okuyama, A. Is discontinuation of hormone replacement therapy possible for patients with late-onset hypogonadism? Int. J. Urol. 2008, 15, 625–629. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  8. Cho, D.Y.; Yeo, J.K.; Cho, S.I.; Jung, J.E.; Yang, S.J.; Kong, D.H.; Ha, J.K.; Kim, J.G.; Park, M.G. Exercise improves the effects of testosterone replacement therapy and the durability of response after cessation of treatment: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Asian J. Androl. 2017, 19, 602–607. [Google Scholar]
  9. Kumagai, H.; Zempo-Miyaki, A.; Yoshikawa, T.; Tsujimoto, T.; Tanaka, K.; Maeda, S. Lifestyle modification increases serum testosterone level and decrease central blood pressure in overweight and obese men. Endocr. J. 2015, 62, 423–430. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  10. Lunenfeld, B.; Mskhalaya, G.; Zitzmann, M.; Arver, S.; Kalinchenko, S.; Tishova, Y.; Morgentaler, A. Recommendations on the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of hypogonadism in men. Aging Male 2015, 18, 5–15. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  11. Heufelder, A.E.; Saad, F.; Bunck, M.C.; Gooren, L. Fifty-two-week treatment with diet and exercise plus transdermal testosterone reverses the metabolic syndrome and improves glycemic control in men with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and subnormal plasma testosterone. J. Androl. 2009, 30, 726–733. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  12. Ng Tang Fui, M.; Hoermann, R.; Zajac, J.D.; Grossmann, M. The effects of testosterone on body composition in obese men are not sustained after cessation of testosterone treatment. Clin. Endocrinol. 2017, 87, 336–343. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  13. Finkle, W.D.; Greenland, S.; Ridgeway, G.K.; Adams, J.L.; Frasco, M.A.; Cook, M.B.; Fraumeni, J.F., Jr.; Hoover, R.N. Increased risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction following testosterone therapy prescription in men. PLoS ONE 2014, 9, e85805. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  14. Vigen, R.; O’Donnell, C.I.; Baron, A.E.; Grunwald, G.K.; Maddox, T.M.; Bradley, S.M.; Barqawi, A.; Woning, G.; Wierman, M.E.; Plomondon, M.E.; et al. Association of testosterone therapy with mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke in men with low testosterone levels. JAMA 2013, 310, 1829–1836. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  15. Basaria, S.; Coviello, A.D.; Travison, T.G.; Storer, T.W.; Farwell, W.R.; Jette, A.M.; Eder, R.; Tennstedt, S.; Ulloor, J.; Zhang, A.; et al. Adverse events associated with testosterone administration. N. Engl. J. Med. 2010, 363, 109–122. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  16. Sharma, R.; Oni, O.A.; Gupta, K.; Chen, G.; Sharma, M.; Dawn, B.; Sharma, R.; Parashara, D.; Savin, V.J.; Ambrose, J.A.; et al. Normalization of testosterone level is associated with reduced incidence of myocardial infarction and mortality in men. Eur. Heart J. 2015, 36, 2706–2715. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  17. Morgentaler, A.; Traish, A.M. Shifting the paradigm of testosterone and prostate cancer: The saturation model and the limits of androgen-dependent growth. Eur. Urol. 2009, 55, 310–320. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  18. Wallis, C.J.; Lo, K.; Lee, Y.; Krakowsky, Y.; Garbens, A.; Satkunasivam, R.; Herschorn, S.; Kodama, R.T.; Cheung, P.; Narod, S.A.; et al. Survival and cardiovascular events in men treated with testosterone replacement therapy: An intention-to-treat observational cohort study. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2016, 4, 498–506. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  19. Cheetham, T.C.; An, J.; Jacobsen, S.J.; Niu, F.; Sidney, S.; Quesenberry, C.P.; Van Den Eeden, S.K. Association of Testosterone Replacement with Cardiovascular Outcomes among Men with Androgen Deficiency. JAMA Intern. Med. 2017, 177, 491–499. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  20. Hackett, G.; Kirby, M.; Edwards, D.; Jones, T.H.; Wylie, K.; Ossei-Gerning, N.; David, J.; Muneer, A. British Society for Sexual Medicine Guidelines on Adult Testosterone Deficiency, with Statements for UK Practice. J. Sex. Med. 2017, 14, 1504–1523. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. Bhasin, S.; Brito, J.P.; Cunningham, G.R.; Hayes, F.J.; Hodis, H.N.; Matsumoto, A.M.; Snyder, P.J.; Swerdloff, R.S.; Wu, F.C.; Yialamas, M.A. Testosterone Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 2018, 103, 1715–1744. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  22. Dean, J.D.; McMahon, C.G.; Guay, A.T.; Morgentaler, A.; Althof, S.E.; Becher, E.F.; Bivalacqua, T.J.; Burnett, A.L.; Buvat, J.; El Meliegy, A.; et al. The International Society for Sexual Medicine’s Process of Care for the Assessment and Management of Testosterone Deficiency in Adult Men. J. Sex. Med. 2015, 12, 1660–1686. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  23. Glueck, C.J.; Goldenberg, N.; Wang, P. Thromboembolism peaking 3 months after starting testosterone therapy: Testosterone-thrombophilia interactions. J. Investig. Med. 2018, 66, 733–738. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  24. Wang, C.; Nieschlag, E.; Swerdloff, R.; Behre, H.M.; Hellstrom, W.J.; Gooren, L.J.; Kaufman, J.M.; Legros, J.J.; Lunenfeld, B.; Morales, A.; et al. ISA, ISSAM, EAU, EAA and ASA recommendations: Investigation, treatment and monitoring of late-onset hypogonadism in males. Int. J. Impot. Res. 2009, 21, 1–8. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  25. Pearl, J.A.; Berhanu, D.; Francois, N.; Masson, P.; Zargaroff, S.; Cashy, J.; McVary, K.T. Testosterone supplementation does not worsen lower urinary tract symptoms. J. Urol. 2013, 190, 1828–1833. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  26. Shigehara, K.; Sugimoto, K.; Konaka, H.; Iijima, M.; Fukushima, M.; Maeda, Y.; Mizokami, A.; Koh, E.; Origasa, H.; Iwamoto, T.; et al. Androgen replacement therapy contributes to improving lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with hypogonadism and benign prostate hypertrophy: A randomised controlled study. Aging Male 2011, 14, 53–58. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  27. O’Connell, M.D.; Roberts, S.A.; Srinivas-Shankar, U.; Tajar, A.; Connolly, M.J.; Adams, J.E.; Oldham, J.A.; Wu, F.C. Do the effects of testosterone on muscle strength, physical function, body composition, and quality of life persist six months after treatment in intermediate-frail and frail elderly men? J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 2011, 96, 454–458. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  28. Gooren, L.J. Advances in testosterone replacement therapy. Front. Horm. Res. 2009, 37, 32–51. [Google Scholar]
  29. Yassin, A.A.; Haffejee, M. Testosterone depot injection in male hypogonadism: A critical appraisal. Clin. Interv. Aging 2007, 2, 577–590. [Google Scholar]
  30. Chigurupati, S.; Son, T.G.; Hyun, D.H.; Lathia, J.D.; Mughal, M.R.; Savell, J.; Li, S.C.; Nagaraju, G.P.; Chan, S.L.; Arumugam, T.V.; et al. Lifelong running reduces oxidative stress and degenerative changes in the testes of mice. J. Endocrinol. 2008, 199, 333–341. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  31. Lee, H.K.; Lee, J.K.; Cho, B. The role of androgen in the adipose tissue of males. World J. Mens Health 2013, 31, 136–140. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  32. Aizawa, K.; Iemitsu, M.; Maeda, S.; Mesaki, N.; Ushida, T.; Akimoto, T. Endurance exercise training enhances local sex steroidogenesis in skeletal muscle. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2011, 43, 2072–2080. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  33. Yeo, J.K.; Cho, S.I.; Park, S.G.; Jo, S.; Ha, J.K.; Lee, J.W.; Cho, S.Y.; Park, M.G. Which Exercise Is Better for Increasing Serum Testosterone Levels in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction? World J. Mens Health 2018, 36, 147–152. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  34. Dobs, A.S.; Meikle, A.W.; Arver, S.; Sanders, S.W.; Caramelli, K.E.; Mazer, N.A. Pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of a permeation-enhanced testosterone transdermal system in comparison with bi-weekly injections of testosterone enanthate for the treatment of hypogonadal men. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 1999, 84, 3469–3478. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
  35. Hohl, A.; Marques, M.O.; Coral, M.H.; Walz, R. Evaluation of late-onset hypogonadism (andropause) treatment using three different formulations of injectable testosterone. Arq. Bras. Endocrinol. Metabol. 2009, 53, 989–995. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  36. Saad, F.; Gooren, L.J.; Haider, A.; Yassin, A. A dose-response study of testosterone on sexual dysfunction and features of the metabolic syndrome using testosterone gel and parenteral testosterone undecanoate. J. Androl. 2008, 29, 102–105. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  37. Saad, F.; Gooren, L.; Haider, A.; Yassin, A. Effects of testosterone gel followed by parenteral testosterone undecanoate on sexual dysfunction and on features of the metabolic syndrome. Andrologia 2008, 40, 44–48. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Jcm 08 00151 g001 550
Figure 1. Total testosterone (TT) levels (ng/dL) at baseline, highest TT levels during TRT, and recent TT levels in the six months after TRT cessation in both groups.
Figure 1. Total testosterone (TT) levels (ng/dL) at baseline, highest TT levels during TRT, and recent TT levels in the six months after TRT cessation in both groups.
Jcm 08 00151 g001
Table
Table 1. Baseline characteristics in patients who failed to show a maintained response (Group I) and those with a maintained response (Group II) after TRT cessation.
Table 1. Baseline characteristics in patients who failed to show a maintained response (Group I) and those with a maintained response (Group II) after TRT cessation.
Group IGroup IIp-Value
N (%)92/151 (60.9)59/151 (30.1)
Age (years)61.1 ± 9.360.4 ± 7.70.669
BMI (kg/m2)25.0 ± 2.824.9 ± 2.60.745
Waist (cm)86.5 ± 6.886.0 ± 6.20.640
Comorbidities, N 0.095
None32/9219/59
HTN28/9218/59
DM18/9213/59
Dyslipidemia8/927/59
Hepatobiliary disease8/924/59
Pulmonary disease9/925/59
Chronic kidney disease8/923/59
Alcohol, N 0.753
65/9241/59
Smoking, N 0.654
13/924/59
Exercise, N 0.000
Yes9/9232/59
No83/9227/59
IIEF total27 ± 14.1829.34 ± 14.10.323
Erectile function11.02 ± 7.0312.20 ± 7.080.316
Orgasmic function3.71 ± 3.394.14 ± 3.350.447
Sexual desire4.23 ± 1.804.46 ± 1.870.453
Intercourse satisfaction4.32 ± 3.104.68 ± 3.030.480
Overall satisfaction4.05 ± 1.784.20 ± 1.810.619
AMS total38.52 ± 9.3738.86 ± 9.690.829
Psycho9.33 ± 3.639.46 ± 3.590.827
Somato14.50 ± 4.2714.46 ± 4.230.952
Sexual14.70 ± 4.2514.95 ± 4.320.723
PSA (ug/dL)1.06 ± 0.711.07 ± 0.730.953
Hb (g/dL)14.76 ± 1.0914.82 ± 1.170.755
Hct (%)42.92 ± 3.1142.70 ± 2.850.662
Glucose (mg/dL)106.86 ± 24.72105.03 ± 20.540.638
Total Cholesterol (mg/dL)176.12 ± 35.65181.20 ± 40.240.418
TG (mg/dL)220.01 ± 219.83233.54 ± 235.790.726
HDL (mg/dL)48.53 ± 10.2746.96 ± 9.260.355
LDL (mg/dL)114.44 ± 25.93120.49 ± 30.790.206
p-value, compared between two groups; BMI, body mass index; HTN, hypertension; DM, diabetes mellitus; IIEF, International Index of Erectile Function; AMS, Aging Males’ Symptoms Score; PSA, prostate-specific antigen; Hb, hemoglobin; Hct, hematocrit; TG, triglyceride; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; LDL, low-density lipoprotein.
Table
Table 2. Testosterone treatment-related parameters in patients who failed to show a maintained response (Group I) and those with a maintained response (Group II) after TRT cessation.
Table 2. Testosterone treatment-related parameters in patients who failed to show a maintained response (Group I) and those with a maintained response (Group II) after TRT cessation.
Group IGroup IIp-Value
Baseline TT (ng/dL)323.0 ± 15.4325.2 ± 19.80.221
Highest TT (ng/dL)546.1 ± 230.3713.7 ± 139.20.000
∆ (Highest–Baseline)TT (ng/dL)223.0 ± 231.1388.5 ± 244.00.000
TRT duration (months)5.2 ± 4.410.7 ± 9.50.000
Type of TRT, N (%) 0.347
Oral TU15/92 (16.3)9/59 (15.3)
T-gel44/92 (47.8)31/59 (52.4)
Injectable TE13/92 (14.1)5/59 (8.5)
Injectable TU10/92 (10.9)9/59 (15.3)
Mixed 10/92 (10.9)5/59 (8.5)
IIEF total35.01 ± 10.04 *34.92 ± 10.17 *0.955
Erectile function14.27 ± 5.34 *14.14 ± 5.26 *0.878
Orgasmic function5.08 ± 2.84 *5.10 ± 2.80 *0.957
Sexual desire5.47 ± 1.84 *5.30 ± 1.81 *0.576
Intercourse satisfaction5.79 ± 2.08 *5.71 ± 2.16 *0.817
Overall satisfaction4.76 ± 1.73 *4.80 ± 1.76 *0.902
AMS total32.332 ± 6.02 *32.49 ± 6.28 *0.871
Psycho7.49 ± 2.11 *7.56 ± 2.08 *0.841
Somato11.42 ± 2.90 *11.42 ± 2.75 *0.885
Sexual13.38 ± 3.80 *13.47 ± 4.02 *0.885
PSA (ug/dL)1.23 ± 0.91 ¥1.31 ± 0.93 ¥0.723
Hb (g/dL)15.21 ± 1.21 *15.31 ± 1.05 *0.755
Hct (%)45.21 ± 3.81 *45.70 ± 3.85 *0.760
p-value, compared between two groups using the independent t-test; TRT, testosterone replacement therapy; TT, serum total testosterone level; ∆, increase in TT level; TU, testosterone undecanoate; T-gel, 2% testosterone gel; TE, testosterone enanthate; Mixed, in the case of using more than one form of TRT; PSA, prostate-specific antigen; Hb, hemoglobin; Hct, hematocrit; *, p < 0.01, compared to baseline in each group using the paired t-test; ¥, p < 0.05, compared to baseline in each group using the paired t-test.
Table
Table 3. Results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis for the predictive factors of response maintenance after TRT cessation.
Table 3. Results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis for the predictive factors of response maintenance after TRT cessation.
Odds Ratiop-Value
Exercise10.230.000
Periods of TRT1.1660.000
Highest TT1.0020.192
∆ (Highest–Baseline)TT1.0000.978
TRT, testosterone replacement therapy; TT, serum total testosterone; ∆, increase in TT level.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Park, M.G.; Yeo, J.K.; Park, S.G.; Na, W.; Moon, D.G. Predictive Factors of Efficacy Maintenance after Testosterone Treatment Cessation. J. Clin. Med. 2019, 8, 151. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8020151

AMA Style

Park MG, Yeo JK, Park SG, Na W, Moon DG. Predictive Factors of Efficacy Maintenance after Testosterone Treatment Cessation. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2019; 8(2):151. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8020151

Chicago/Turabian Style

Park, Min Gu, Jeong Kyun Yeo, Sun Gu Park, Woong Na, and Du Geon Moon. 2019. "Predictive Factors of Efficacy Maintenance after Testosterone Treatment Cessation" Journal of Clinical Medicine 8, no. 2: 151. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8020151

APA Style

Park, M. G., Yeo, J. K., Park, S. G., Na, W., & Moon, D. G. (2019). Predictive Factors of Efficacy Maintenance after Testosterone Treatment Cessation. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8(2), 151. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8020151

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop