Effects of long term treatment with testosterone on weight and waist size in 411 hypogonadal men with obesity classes I III: observational data from two registry studies
Background/Objectives:Long term testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) up to 5 years has been shown to produce progressive and sustainable weight loss (WL) in hypogonadal men. This study investigated effects of long term TRT up to 8 years in hypogonadal men with different obesity classes.Subjects/Methods:From two independent observational registries we identified a total of 411 obese, hypogonadal men receiving TRT in urological clinics. The effects of TRT on anthropometric as well as metabolic parameters were studied for a maximum duration of 8 years, mean follow up: 6 years. All men received long acting injections of testosterone undecanoate in 3 monthly intervals.Results:In all three classes of obesity, T therapy produced significant WL, decrease in waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) In patients with class I obesity, mean weight decreased from 102.6+ 6.4 to 84.1+ 4.9 kg, change from baseline: 17.4+ 0.5 kg and 16.8+ 0.4% WC in this group of patients decreased from 106.8+ 7.4 to 95.1+ 5.3 cm, change from baseline: 10.6+ 0.3 cm. BMI decreased from 32.69+ 1.4 to 27.07+ 1.57, change from baseline: 5.52+ 0.15 kg m 2. In patients with class II obesity, weight decreased from 116.8+ 6.9 to 91.3+ 6.3 kg, change from baseline: 25.3+ 0.5 kg and 21.5+ 0.4% WC decreased from 113.5+ 7.5 to 100.0+ 5.4 cm, change from baseline: 13.9+ 0.4 cm. BMI decreased from 37.32+ 1.45 to 29.49+ 1.71, change from baseline: 8.15+ 0.17 kg m 2. In patients with class III obesity, weight decreased from 129.0+ 5.6 to 98.9+ 4.8 kg, change from baseline: 30.5+ 0.7 kg and 23.6+ 0.5% WC decreased from 118.5+ 5.6 to 103.8+ 4.9 cm, change from baseline: 14.3+ 0.4 cm. BMI decreased from 41.93+ 1.48 to 32.46+ 1.59, change from baseline 9.96+ 0.29 kg m 2.Conclusions:Testosterone therapy appears to be an effective approach to achieve sustained WL in obese hypogonadal men irrespective of severity of obesity. Based on these findings we suggest that T therapy offers safe and effective treatment strategy of obesity in hypogonadal men.
International Journal of Obesity