Endogenous Testosterone Levels and Cardiovascular Risk: Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The relationship between endogenous testosterone (T) levels and cardiovascular (CV) risk in men is conflicting.
AIM: To verify whether endogenous T levels represent a possible risk factor for CV morbidity and mortality.
METHODS: We conducted a random effect meta-analysis considering all the available data from prospective observational studies comparing subjects with baseline reduced endogenous T levels to those with higher T levels as derived from an extensive MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane search. The identification of relevant studies was performed independently by 2 of the authors (G.R. and G.C.), and conflicts resolved by the third investigator (M.M.).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CV mortality and morbidity were investigated.
RESULTS: After screening, 37 observational studies, published between 1988 and 2017 including 43,041 subjects with a mean age of 63.5 years and mean follow-up of 333 weeks, were considered. Low endogenous T at enrollment predicted overall and CV mortality, as well as CV morbidity, when both unadjusted and fully adjusted models were considered (odds ratio = 1.26 [CI, 1.17; 1.36], 1.54 [CI, 1.25; 1.89], and 1.17 [CI, 1.01; 1.36]; all P < .05 when overall mortality, CV mortality, and CV incidence and fully adjusted models were considered, respectively). The data were confirmed even when nonpopulation-based studies were excluded from the analysis. Metaregression analysis applied to the fully adjusted model showed that the risk of CV mortality…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 43,041 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.