ECE2010 Oral Communications Diabetes and obesity (6 abstracts)
The effect of statin therapy on testosterone levels in subjects consulting for erectile dysfunction
Giovanni Corona 1, , Valentina Boddi 1 , Giancarlo Balercia 2 , Rastrelli Giulia 1 , Giulia de Vita 1 , Alessandra Sforza 3 , Gianni Forti 1 , Edoardo Mannucci 4 & Mario Maggi 1
1Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; 2Endocrinology Unit, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy; 3Endocrinology Unit, Medical Department, Azienda Usl, Maggiore-Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy; 4Diabetes Section Geriatric Unit, Department of Critical Care, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Introduction: Previous clinical studies on effect of statins treatment on testosterone levels have produced mixed results. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the association between statin therapy and hormonal parameters in a large series of subjects seeking medical care at our Unit for ED.
Methods: A consecutive series of 3484 (mean age 51.6±13.1 years) patients with ED was studied.
Several hormonal and biochemical parameters were investigated, along with ANDROTEST structured interview measuring hypogonadism-related symptoms.
Results: Among the patients studied, 244 (7%) patients were being treated with statins. After adjustment for confounding factors (including BMI and Progetto Cuore cardiovascular risk engine score) both total and calculated free testosterone levels were significantly lower in subjects taking statins, when compared to the rest of the sample (HR=0.93 (0.90; 0.96) and 0.26 (0.01; 0.18) for each decrement of total testosterone and calculated free-testosterone respectively; both P<0.0001). The use of statins was also associated with a reduced testis volume and a higher prevalence of hypogonadism-related symptoms and signs, as assessed by higher ANDROTEST score (HR=1.12 (1.03; 1.21); P<0.01 after adjustment for confounders). FSH levels were significantly higher in subjects treated with statins when compared to the rest of the sample while there was a trend toward higher LH levels, but this did not reach statistical significance. The lower levels of total and calculated free testosterone observed in subjects treated with statins were also confirmed comparing them with age–waist circumference and cardiovascular risk score matched controls. Finally, subjects being treated with statins showed lower prolactin levels when compared to the rest of the sample.
Conclusions: Our data demonstrated that statin therapy might induce an overt primary hypogonadism and should be considered as a possible confounding factor for the evaluation of testosterone levels in patients with ED.
Article tools
My recent searches
My recently viewed abstracts
Authors
Endocrine Abstracts
ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)
© Bioscientifica 2024 |
Privacy policy |
Cookie settings
BiosciAbstracts
Bioscientifica Abstracts is the gateway to a series of products that provide a permanent, citable record of abstracts for biomedical and life science conferences.
Find out more