Severe Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency May Signal Higher Cardiovascular and Metabolic Risk
Spanish researchers have examined the link between the degree of low testosterone symptoms and cardiovascular/metabolic risk.
They questioned whether men with mild or no symptoms of testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) would have the same cardiovascular risks as those with more severe symptoms.
Almost 1,000 men over age 45 (mean age 61.2) with confirmed or suspected low testosterone participated in the study.
The men were checked for metabolic syndrome. The researchers also used the 5-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the Ageing Male Symptoms (AMS) scale for further evaluation.
Ninety-seven percent of the men had erectile dysfunction (ED). Sexual symptoms were the most prevalent on the AMS as well.
About 75% of the men with moderate/severe TDS symptoms had metabolic syndrome, compared to 58% of the men with mild or no symptoms.
“The results of our study. . . suggest that in men with low [testosterone], severity of TDS-related symptoms, as assessed by the AMS scale, is associated to a greater likelihood of [metabolic syndrome],” the authors wrote.
They added, “Therefore, besides their utility to raise the suspicion of TDS in healthy men, severity of TDS-related symptoms may be useful to suspect a higher [cardiovascular] and metabolic risk in men with low [testosterone], which reflect the overall poor health status of these men.”
The study was first published online in June in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. Please click here for more details.
Sexual Medicine Reviews: New Editor-in-Chief Sought
The ISSM Publication Committee is accepting applications for the position of Editor-in-Chief of Sexual Medicine Reviews.
This position has a three year term that is expected to begin on 1 January 2015. A five-year extension is possible based on evaluation by the ISSM Publication Committee and Executive Committee. The complete job description and the scope of the publication are described here.
All applicants must submit their materials, including a CV and two letters of recommendation from ISSM members, to the ISSM Executive Office by 31 August 2014.
Interviews will be held during the World Meeting on Sexual Medicine this October in São Paulo, Brazil.
Please click here for more information on this opportunity.
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