The Efficacy of Transdermal Testosterone(Testogel(R)) in Late Onset Hypogonadism Patients: Changes in Serum Testosterone Level and Symptom Scores Based on Aging Males' Symptoms Scale

Bae, Jae Hyun; Kim, No Soo; Kim, Jong Wook; Park, Min Goo; Kim, Myung Joon; Moon, Du Geon; Kim, Je Jong

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was done to assess the effects of Transdermal testosterone gel(Testogel(R)) in late onset hypogonadism (LOH) patients and the correlation of AMS(aging males' symptoms) scale with serum testosterone concentration.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We reviewed 73 medical records of LOH patients with low serum testosterone level (<3.5 ng/ml) who had been prescribed 1% Testogel(R) 5 g for over 3 months. The changes in serum testosterone level and AMS scores after application of Testogel(R) were statistically analyzed.
RESULTS
Mean age and duration of therapy were 56.0+/-11.1 years and 195.4+/-102.9 days, respectively. Compared to before treatment, Testogel(R) significantly increased the level of serum total testosterone, free testosterone, and bioavailable testosterone at 3, 6, and 9 months after treatment, and there were no significant differences in each of these parameters at the 3 time points. Testogel(R) also significantly improved AMS scores related to sexual dysfunction, somatic function, and psychological function at 3, 6, and 9 months. Among various parameters, serum total testosterone level was highly correlated with the AMS score (r=0.422, p<0.01). The more severe the complaints were before treatment, the greater the relative improvement. There were no severe systemic adverse reactions in any patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Testogel(R) effectively elevated serum testosterone level and improved AMS scores. The improvement of AMS score was correlated with serum total testosterone concentration. Treatment was more effective in patients with more severe symptoms. Large prospective studies are needed to identify the long-term effects of Testogel(R) in LOH patients.