Testosterone treatment can save lives for men with Klinefelter syndrome

Testosterone treatment can save lives for men with Klinefelter syndrome

Testosterone treatment significantly reduces mortality in men with Klinefelter syndrome. Researcher calls for policy changes to ensure more patients receive the treatment they need.

More than half of all men with Klinefelter syndrome (KS) are unaware that they have the condition. Among those who receive a diagnosis, only about half receive the treatment they need.

A Danish study now shows that testosterone treatment can not only improve the quality of life - it can also save lives.

Klinefelter syndrome is the most common sex chromosome disorder in men, affecting approximately one in 600 male births.

The condition results from an extra X chromosome, which leads to low testosterone production, which in turn increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and overall higher mortality rates.

"Our previous studies have shown that men with KS have a significantly higher risk of developing a number of diseases. However, we did not know to what extent testosterone treatment could reduce this risk. To date, no large studies have been able to document what testosterone treatment with testosterone treatment could reduce. So far we have been able to document testosterone treatment. So far we have been able to reduce testosterone treatment. So far we have been able to document testosterone treatment. So far we have been able to document testosterone treatment able to reduce testosterone treatment. actual clinical effects of the treatment,“Explains postdoc and MD Simon Chang from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital and describes the motivation behind the study.

Mortality rates on par with the general population

This is the first study of its kind and shows that testosterone treatment nearly maintains mortality rates in men with KS.

The male participants who received treatment lived significantly longer than untreated men, with their mortality rates approaching that of the general population.

This is an extremely important discovery because we can save lives by providing the right treatment. Today, only half of men diagnosed with KS receive the necessary testosterone therapy. “

Simon Chang, Aarhus University

A powerful hormone

Researchers cannot yet fully explain why the treatment results in such a significant reduction in mortality.

According to Simon Chang, the effect can be associated with improved metabolism, increased muscle mass and reduced body fat as a result of testosterone therapy.

"Testosterone is a powerful hormone that affects almost every function in the body. We also suspect that it may have positive effects on the immune system, bone health and possibly even cognitive function.“He explains.

The study, he adds, highlights the importance of identifying more men with KS who remain undiagnosed. More than half of people born with KS are never diagnosed, although a simple screening test could identify the syndrome through routine blood testing of all newborns.

Testosterone is safe - what about side effects?

The study confirms that testosterone therapy is the casenotIncrease the risk of serious cardiovascular disease, heart attacks or strokes.

However, there is a slightly increased risk in men receiving treatment.

"It is important to emphasize that the benefits far outweigh the potential harms. Reducing mortality is so important that it outweighs concerns about a potential increased risk of heart failure.“says Simon Chang.

New guidelines on the way

International guidelines for the treatment of KS are currently under development and are expected to be presented in 2027.

Simon Chang believes the results of the study will directly influence these guidelines and will potentially improve, prolong and save lives for many men with KS.

“We expect the new guidelines to recommend initiating testosterone treatment as soon as the diagnosis is made.“He closes.

Sources: