For men over 66, therapy to remedy low testosterone may mean the difference between staying healthy and a trip back to the hospital.
A study out of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston evaluated a group of more than 6,300 older men and found those who addressed their low testosterone levels through therapy had a significantly decreased risk of hospital readmission within 30 days of discharge. The overall rate of return for patients who received testosterone therapy was 9.8 percent, compared to 13 percent for untreated men.
"Our findings suggest that one of the benefits of androgen therapy may be quicker recovery from a hospital stay and lower readmission rates," lead author Jacques Baillargeon, a UTMB professor of epidemiology, said in a statement. "Given the importance of potentially avoidable hospital readmissions among older adults, further exploration of this intervention holds broad clinical and public health relevance."
The authors also suggest their findings support a decreased risk for "post-hospital syndrome," a condition that refers to an overall decline in health after a hospital discharge, to which older men are particularly vulnerable. Testosterone therapy is linked with improved mobility, exercise capacity, strength and overall health, all of which are helpful in avoiding symptoms associated with post-hospital syndrome.
The findings are published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.