Acute changes in haematocrit leading to polycythaemia in late-onset hypogonadism patients that receive testosterone replacement therapy: a South African study. Issue 2 (4th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: du Plessis, Jesslee; Bester, Hermanus Lambertus; Julyan, Marlene; Cockeran, Marike
• Is Part Of: JEMDSA. Volume 24:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 40
• Publication Date: 2019-05-04
• Subjects: depot-testosterone haematocrit -- late-onset hypogonadism -- polycythaemia -- testosterone replacement therapy -- undecanoate; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Diabetes -- Periodicals; Metabolism -- Periodicals; Endocrine System Diseases; Metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetes; Endocrinology; Metabolism; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.4
• DOI: 10.1080/16089677.2018.1553344
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1608-9677

Abstract

Abstract : Background: According to the literature, parenteral testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)-induced polycythaemia is associated with cardiovascular events. No or minimal data exist for the prevalence of TRT-induced polycythaemia in late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) patients from South Africa. Polycythaemia is the side effect most frequently associated with parental TRT formulations. Design: This was a quantitative, observational, descriptive, retrospective study. Setting: The study setting was a private practice male clinic in Emalahleni. Subject: An all-inclusive sampling method was used. Outcome measures: The main outcome measure for polycythaemia was haematocrit (Hct). An Hct percentage of > 50% at month 3 (post-treatment initiation) constituted a positive diagnosis for polycythaemia. For the rise in total testosterone (TT) and Hct, the variance was used as documented between pre- and post-treatment initiation. Results: The prevalence of polycythaemia was 34%. A statistically significant increase in both TT and Hct was observed. The Cohen's d effect size was 0.68 and 0.73, respectively, for TT and Hct. Conclusion: Depot-testosterone undecanoate parenteral formulation induces polycythaemia in LOH patients, where the rise in TT demonstrates the effectiveness of therapy.