Low Testosterone | Treatment Algorithms | Claims Data Analysis | US | 2014
A gradual decline in testosterone is a natural part of the aging process in men. However, when testosterone falls below normal levels and when related symptoms, such as erectile dysfunction, increased fatigue, loss of bone mineral density, or sleep disturbance are present, pharmaceutical treatments may be prescribed. For the most part, the treatment for low testosterone is testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone treatments are available in a variety of formulations, with each method of administration providing different levels of convenience and risk of unintended exposure to others. Using national patient-level claims data, this report analyzes physician adherence to the Endocrine Society’s treatment guidelines by exploring the use of key therapies in the newly diagnosed and recently treated low-testosterone patient populations. Among newly diagnosed patients, we provide a quantitative analysis of treatment patterns and share by line of therapy, as well as progression between lines and the duration of treatment on each line. Use of concomitant treatment in this condition is rare. Additional analyses explore persistency and patient compliance by brand.
