This article summarizes the top 20 research studies of 2021 identified as POEMs (patient-oriented evidence that matters) that did not appear in previous summaries. These studies were selected based on their relevance to primary care practice and their potential to change clinical practice. The topics covered include cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
This 2014 review by Apovian et al. in Nature Reviews Endocrinology provides a comprehensive overview of evidence-based strategies for obesity treatment, emphasizing the importance of individualized approaches. The authors discuss lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery, highlighting that while lifestyle modifications are foundational, they often yield modest weight loss and
This systematic review evaluates mitochondrial biomarkers, highlighting GDF-15 and FGF-21 as the most promising candidates for diagnosing and managing mitochondrial disorders. Although these biomarkers demonstrate potential, their reliability varies across conditions, underscoring the need for further validation. Improved biomarker validation would enable earlier detection, better disease monitoring, and more precise
This cohort study evaluates the symptomatic response and adherence to testosterone therapy (TTh) in men with testosterone deficiency. The study involved 127 men, with most reporting improvements in erectile function, libido, energy, and mood within 3 months. By 12 months, 63% of the participants continued therapy with sustained benefits. However,
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has long been used for young men with organic hypogonadism, but its increasing use in older men with age-related testosterone decline has raised concerns about cardiovascular (CV) risk. Some studies suggest TRT may elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), leading to FDA warnings, though no
This review article discusses the clinical challenges of testosterone therapy in women, highlighting the need for better understanding and standardized prescribing practices. While testosterone is a naturally occurring hormone in women, its role in female health is often misunderstood, and there are no clear guidelines for its therapeutic use. The
This editorial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2023, discusses the safety considerations of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in older men. While it does not present new study data, it highlights the need for careful evaluation of TRT’s benefits and potential risks in aging males. The article
This observational study examined the impact of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on hemoglobin levels in 39 male blood donors, revealing that 25% of clinic visits recorded hemoglobin levels ≥180 g/L, and 44% of repeat donors had persistently elevated levels. This suggests that blood donation alone may be insufficient to manage
