Nearly three-fourths of patients taking long-acting opioids on a daily basis were found to be hypogonadal, compared with a third of men on short-acting agents, the study found. Researchers also found a “small” association between testosterone level and body mass index.
“This is a huge problem,” said lead investigator Andrea Rubinstein, MD, of the high rate of hypogonadism. “There were only 80 men in the study, but 51 percent didn’t make it to 250 ng/dL. You’d have to be worried about osteoporosis in these guys; 250 is enough to maintain bone density but that is not necessarily the level where they are going to feel well.”
Related Articles on Pain Management:
Patients With Celiac Disease More Likely to Suffer Migraines
Pregabalin Bridges Gap in Treating Spinal Cord Injury Pain
Study Examines Why Vioxx Damaged Patients’ Hearts
