Commencement of the ABCD worldwide audit of testosterone deficiency in men with type 2 diabetes was held up by the recent COVID-19 pandemic surge. With the subsiding of that surge, ABCD would now like to invite you to join the audit.
The condition has a high prevalence - 40% of men with type 2 diabetes have symptomatic testosterone deficiency. Testosterone deficiency is associated with: an adverse effect on cardiovascular risk factors, osteoporosis, reduced muscular strength (including frailty), anaemia and reduced psychological well-being. Testosterone deficiency is also associated with an increased mortality in type 2 diabetes and independently in cardiovascular disease.
You will agree that asking about erectile dysfunction should be part of routine annual review in all men with diabetes. If present testosterone should be measured and, if low, it should be repeated with SHBG, LH, FSH.
Testosterone replacement has been shown to:
· Improve sexual dysfunction
· Improve insulin resistance
· Lower HbA1c
· Lower cholesterol
· Reduce body weight
· Reduce mortality
· Make the patient feel better!
In our previous audits we have found that the patients treated with medications in the real world tend to be different from those in clinical trials – for example heavier and more poorly controlled. Thus this ABCD audit is being set up to establish the extent to which the patients treated, and the impact of testosterone treatment on them, matches the findings in the clinical trials.
For more information on the justification for the audit, links to the clinical trials and the things we might find out see:
http://www.diabetologists-abcd.org.uk/Testosterone/Testosterone_Deficie…
To register for the audit use this link:
https://abcd.care/application-join-abcd-worldwide-testosterone-and-diab…
You will be given access to the online tool. As we have done with previous audits all contributors will be acknowledged in all papers and presentations from the audit data and biggest contributors will be offered the possibility of being co-authors.
The tool will allow you to analyse the data of your own patients for your own local interest; at the same time the data will automatically be available for worldwide analysis of anonymised data.
With best wishes on behalf of ABCD:
The ABCD Worldwide Testosterone and Diabetes Audit team:
Professor Hugh Jones
Dr Amar Puttanna
Dr Karen Adamson
Dr Umesh Dashora
Dr Susannah Rowles
Dr Dipesh Patel
Dr Bob Ryder
