1. Transversal European survey on testosterone deficiency diagnosis.
- Author
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Behre HM, Christin-Maitre S, Morales AM, and Tostain J
- Subjects
- Data Collection, Europe, Female, Hormone Replacement Therapy, Humans, Hypogonadism drug therapy, Male, Middle Aged, Testosterone administration & dosage, Hypogonadism diagnosis, Practice Patterns, Physicians' statistics & numerical data, Testosterone deficiency
- Abstract
Background: Despite being one of the relevant public health threats among ageing men, testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) is under-recognized and under-diagnosed., Objective: To assess current clinical practices of European physicians regarding diagnosis and management of TDS compared with current guidelines., Methods: Postal survey conducted June-November 2008 in France, Germany, Italy and Spain among urologists, endocrinologists and general practitioners to collect information regarding knowledge of TDS., Results: Among 801 respondents, the majority of endocrinologists and urologists had received training on TDS, either initially or as part of continuous medical education. TDS was recognized by 86.5% of physicians as a true clinical entity, and estimated the prevalence at 10-15% of the male population; 73.5% considered that symptoms and a low level of testosterone were required for diagnosis. Treatment preferences were quarterly intramuscular injections (26.3% of physicians), percutaneous gels (23.9%), matrix patch (21.2%), semi-monthly injections (15.4%) and oral therapy (13.4%). Adverse effects of testosterone replacement therapy, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer, were a concern for physicians., Conclusions: TDS management appeared to be close to that recommended in international guidelines. Signs and symptoms of testosterone deficiency were fairly well known, but some diagnostic and treatment variations were observed.
- Published
- 2012
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