Testosterone treatment and change of categories of the International prostate symptom score (IPSS) in hypogonadal patients: 12 years prospective controlled registry study

Abstract

Functional hypogonadism is a condition characterized by low testosterone concentrations, occurring more commonly in men as they age. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is used to categorize the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and related symptoms in hypogonadal men. Testosterone therapy (TTh) has previously shown potential in improving total IPSS in men with hypogonadism. However, concerns regarding the effects of urinary function following TTh often prevent treatment in hypogonadal men. To explore this further, two population-based single-center, prospective, cumulative registry studies were combined to contribute to a total population of 1176 men with symptoms of hypogonadism. The total population was separated into a TTh group receiving testosterone undecanoate (TU) for up to 12 years and a control group that did not receive treatment. IPSS was recorded at both baseline and at final recorded visit for each patient. Long-term TTh with TU in hypogonadal men resulted in significant improvements in IPSS categories, even in patients with severe symptoms at baseline. In the control group, untreated hypogonadal men experienced a worsening of IPSS categories. These data indicate that TTh improves LUTS in men with hypogonadism and suggest that previous concerns regarding urinary function may have been overstated.

Keywords:

• Hypogonadism
• LUTS
• IPSS
• testosterone treatment
• prostate cancer

Acknowledgements

Editorial support for this manuscript was provided by Astra-Health, www.astra-health.co.uk. Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.

Ethical approval

This study was conducted in accordance with German Ärztekammer (German Medical Association) regulations. Due to the nature of this study, explicit ethical approval was not required. However, the researchers ensured that the study was conducted with integrity, transparency, and respect for all relevant regulations and ethical considerations.

Disclosure statement

AY received partial compensation for data entry, honoraria and occasionally travel grants from Bayer Pharma. Member of Advisory Board for Testosterone, Besin Health Care, Pharma.

Data availability statement

The data supporting this study’s findings are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.