Testosterone increases CV risk in older men

A trial of topical testosterone to increase muscle strength in older men has been discontinued because it increased the risk of cardiovascular effects (NEJM 2010; doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa 1000485).

    The incidence of cardiovascular events was 22 per cent in men randomised to treatment with testosterone compared with 5 per cent with placebo. The relative risk was constant throughout the six months of treatment.