Testosterone replacement therapy and hospitalization rates in men with COPD.
Abstract
Testosterone deficiency is common in men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and may exacerbate their condition. Research suggests that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may have a beneficial effect on respiratory outcomes in men with COPD. To date, however, no large-scale nationally representative studies have examined this association. The objective of the study was to assess whether TRT reduced the risk of respiratory hospitalizations in middle-aged and older men with COPD. We conducted two retrospective cohort studies. First, using the Clinformatics Data Mart-a database of one of the largest commercially insured populations in the United States-we examined 450 men, aged 40-63 years, with COPD who initiated TRT between 2005 and 2014. Second, using the national 5% Medicare database, we examined 253 men, aged ≥66 years, with COPD who initiated TRT between 2008 and 2013. We used difference-in-differences (DID) statistical modeling to compare pre- versus post-respiratory hospitalization rates in TRT users versus matched TRT nonusers over a parallel time period. DID analyses showed that TRT users had a greater relative decrease in respiratory hospitalizations compared with nonusers. Specifically, middle-aged TRT users had a 4.2% greater decrease in respiratory hospitalizations compared with nonusers (-2.4 decrease vs. 1.8 increase; p = 0.03); and older TRT users had a 9.1% greater decrease in respiratory hospitalizations compared with nonusers (-0.8 decrease…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 450 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Induced osteoblast differentiation by amide derivatives of stilbene: The possible osteogenic agents
- On model selections for repeated measurement data in clinical studies
- Regulation of GLUT transporters by flavonoids in androgen-sensitive and -insensitive prostate cancer cells
- Region-specific microRNA signatures in the human epididymis
- Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking of 4-Amino-2H-benzo[h]chromen-2-one (ABO) analogs containing the piperazine moiety
- In Vitro characterization of the endocrine disrupting effects of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) on the human androgen receptor
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.