The applied model of TRT with testosterone enanthate is effective in the correction of clinical signs of hypogonadism without a significant risk of overhydration or PSA changes in men with chronic kidney disease.
Key Findings
Results
Hypogonadism was highly prevalent in both hemodialysis and predialysis CKD patient groups.
26 of 38 men on hemodialysis (68.4%) fulfilled hypogonadism criteria according to EAU definition
24 of 46 men in the predialysis group (52%) fulfilled hypogonadism criteria
Hypogonadism was assessed using serum total testosterone (TT) measurement and calculated free testosterone (fT) levels
A control group of 35 men without kidney disease similar in age was included for comparison
Results
Testosterone replacement therapy produced a significant rise in total and free testosterone levels after 3 months, but no significant changes were observed at 6 and 12 months.
TRT was administered as testosterone enanthate in intramuscular injections every 3 weeks
15 men from the HD group and 14 men from the PreD group received TRT
A significant rise of TT and fT was observed after 3 months of TRT
No significant changes in TT or fT were observed after 6 and 12 months in either the HD or PreD group
Results
Clinical symptoms of hypogonadism as measured by the ADAM questionnaire gradually decreased over the course of TRT in both patient groups.
ADAM (androgen deficiency in the ageing male) questionnaire was used to measure intensity of clinical symptoms of hypogonadism
Gradual decrease in symptom intensity was observed after 3, 6, and 12 months of TRT
Improvement was seen in both the HD and PreD groups
Results
Erectile dysfunction intensity also decreased after TRT in both hemodialysis and predialysis patient groups.
Erectile dysfunction was measured using the IIEF-5 (international index of erectile functioning) questionnaire
Decreases in erectile dysfunction intensity were observed at 3, 6, and 12 months of TRT
Improvement was documented in both the HD and PreD groups
Conclusions
TRT was found to be safe with no significant risk of overhydration or PSA changes in CKD patients.
Safety of TRT was monitored by measuring PSA and overhydration
No significant PSA changes were observed during TRT
No significant overhydration risk was identified during TRT
Safety monitoring was conducted across the full 12-month treatment period
Skiba R, Rymarz A, Matyjek A, Dymus J, Woźniak-Kosek A, Syryło T, et al.. (2022). Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.. Nutrients. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14163444