To address widespread concerns regarding the medical condition of testosterone (T) deficiency (TD) (male hypogonadism) and its treatment with T therapy, an international expert consensus conference was convened in Prague, Czech Republic, on October 1, 2015.
Experts included a broad range of medical specialties including urology, endocrinology, diabetology, internal medicine, and basic science research. A representative from the European Medicines Agency participated in a nonvoting capacity.
Nine resolutions were debated, with unanimous approval:
(1) TD is a well-established, clinically significant medical condition that negatively affects male sexuality, reproduction, general health, and quality of life;
(2) symptoms and signs of TD occur as a result of low levels of T and may benefit from treatment regardless of whether there is an identified underlying etiology;
(3) TD is a global public health concern;
(4) T therapy for men with TD is effective, rational, and evidence-based;
(5) there is no T concentration threshold that reliably distinguishes those who will respond to treatment from those who will not;
(6) there is no scientific basis for any age-specific recommendations against the use of T therapy in men;
(7) the evidence does not support increased risks of cardiovascular events with T therapy;
(8) the evidence does not support increased risk of prostate cancer with T therapy; and
(9) the evidence supports a major research initiative to explore possible benefits of T therapy for cardiometabolic disease, including diabetes.
These resolutions may be considered points of agreement by a broad range of experts based on the best available scientific evidence. Full text
(c) 2016 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research n Mayo Clin Proc. 2016;91(7):881-896
