Reproductive endocrinology

Cardiovascular Safety of Testosterone-Replacement Therapy

N Engl J MedPublished Randomised controlled trial

Primary resultResult — go to the resultHazard ratio 0.96 95% CI 0.78–1.17

Authors' conclusion

In men with hypogonadism and preexisting or a high risk of cardiovascular disease, testosterone-replacement therapy was noninferior to placebo with respect to the incidence of major adverse cardiac events.

Study context

Population
Men 45 to 80 years with preexisting or high risk of CVD, symptoms of hypogonadism and two fasting testosterone levels <300 ng per deciliter
Participants
5,246 men
Comparison
Testosterone gel vs placebo gel
Primary endpoint
First MACE: CV death, nonfatal MI or nonfatal stroke (time-to-event)
Methodological detailsmulticentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, non-inferiority, Mean (±SD) treatment duration 21.7±14.1 months; mean follow-up 33.0±12.1 months
  • Multicentre
  • Double-blind
  • Placebo-controlled
  • Non-inferiority
  • Mean (±SD) treatment duration 21.7±14.1 months; mean follow-up 33.0±12.1 months

Primary result

As reported in the abstract

Hazard ratio

0.96

95% CI 0.78–1.17

P < 0.001 for noninferiority

Events by treatment group

Testosteronevs Placebo
HR 0.96 (95% CI 0.78–1.17); P < 0.001 for noninferiority

Secondary outcomes

Sensitivity analyses (events censored at various times after discontinuation)

Similar findings

Secondary end point (CV death, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke or coronary revascularization) and each component of the primary end point

Incidence appeared similar in the two groups

Original publication

Cardiovascular Safety of Testosterone-Replacement Therapy. N Engl J Med. Published 16 June 2023. doi:10.1056/nejmoa2215025

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