- Briefly describe a specific question, or set of related questions, about a health care test or treatment that this program should consider.
Topic: Treatment of low testosterone in men
Proposed draft key questions:
- Are low testosterone levels associated with symptoms of fatigue, weakness, sexual dysfunction (including low libido and erectile dysfunction), hot flashes or decreased overall mental and physical health and does age modify these associations?
- What are the benefits of testosterone therapy among men with low testosterone levels?
- What are the harms of testosterone therapy among men treated with testosterone for low testosterone?
- Do the benefits and harms vary by:
- Baseline testosterone level
- Baseline symptoms
- Age
- Other
Proposed draft PICOTS: P: Men with low testosterone I: testosterone supplementation C: no supplementation O: potential benefits--- sexual function, fatigue, weakness, well being, quality of life, depression, other Potential harms----mood/anger, polycythemia, clot, prostate cancer, other T: short and long term (though predict only short term trials) S: subgroups ---age, baseline level, other
- Describe why this topic is important.
Late-onset hypogonadism affects 3-5% of men aged 60-79 and around 2% of men over the age of 40. Potential complications include infertility, erectile dysfunction, height loss, osteoporosis, low bone mineral density, fracture risk, and mild anemia. Lower testosterone levels may also be linked to early all-cause and cardiovascular-related mortality among men.
- How will an answer to your research question be used or help inform decisions for you or your group?
If the evidence is sufficient, we will develop an ACP guideline based on the review.
- Other Information About You: (optional)
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- Please choose a description that best describes your role or perspective: (you may select more than one category if appropriate)
- Professional society
- If you are you making a suggestion on behalf of an organization, please state the name of the organization
- American College of Physicians (ACP)
- Please tell us how you heard about the Effective Health Care Program
