Table 2.
Meta-analysis of adverse events associated with the use of any testosterone compared with placebo
| Outcome | No. of RCTs | Treatment duration | Event/no. treated | OR (95% CI)* |
I 2 |
| Cardiovascular death | 18 | 12 weeks to 36 months | Placebo: 4/1851 TRT: 9/2088 |
2.15 (0.72 to 6.45) | 11% |
| Myocardial infarction | 15 | 12 weeks to 36 months | Placebo: 10/1613 TRT: 6/1915 |
0.43 (0.15 to 1.19) | 34% |
| Prostate cancer | 13 | 12 weeks to 36 months | Placebo: 11/1649 TRT: 12/1877 |
0.97 (0.43 to 2.23) | 0% |
| Stroke | 8 | 12 weeks to 36 months | Placebo: 8/1103 TRT: 8/1104 |
0.99 (0.37 to 2.65) | 29% |
| Heart disease | 3 | 40 weeks to 12 months | Placebo: 5/120 TRT: 5/131 |
0.89 (0.24 to 3.26) | 0% |
| Erythrocytosis | 4 | 12 weeks to 12 months | Placebo: 0/78 TRT: 4/110 |
2.44 (0.26 to 22.53) | 0% |
| Diabetes | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| Serious adverse events | 18 | 12 weeks to 36 months | Placebo: 181/1902 TRT: 168/2138 |
0.88 (0.70 to 1.11) | 0% |
| Withdrawals due to adverse events | 48 | 12 weeks to 36 months | Placebo: 150/2551 TRT: 221/2840 |
1.31 (0.98 to 1.73) | 13% |
*Random-effects models.
RCT, randomised controlled trial; TRT, testosterone replacement therapy.