Short-term testosterone linked to VTE
Testosterone therapy is associated with an increased short-term risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. The association was the same in men with or without hypogonadism.
A total of 39 622 men (mean age, 57.4 years) were enrolled in the case-controlled study (7.8% had evidence of hypogonadism). Testosterone therapy use six, three and one month before the VTE event was associated with a higher risk of VTE in men with hypogonadism (odds ratio [OR], 2.32; 95% CI, 1.97–2.74) and without hypogonadism (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.47–2.77.
According to the authors: ‘These data combined with prior data suggest that future clinical trials of testosterone therapy, regardless of the indication, should capture VTE events as part of safety end points.’