Serum PSA as a predictor of testosterone deficiency.

Introduction: The relationship between serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and testosterone (T) levels is still controversial. According to the "saturation hypothesis," a significant relationship is apparent only in the low T range.

Aim: To verify whether, in a large sample of male subjects seeking medical care for sexual dysfunction (SD), PSA might represent a reliable marker of T levels.

Thiazolidinediones and cancer: results of a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Recent epidemiological data have contributed to the formulation of the hypothesis about the long-term safety of pioglitazone, a thiazolidinedione (TZD), with respect to malignancies, in particular bladder cancer. The primary aim of this meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, not designed a priori to test this hypothesis, was to explore whether TZDs affect the risk of cancer. A meta-analysis was performed including published and unpublished randomized trials with a duration of at least 52 weeks, enrolling patients with or without diabetes, comparing TZDs with either placebo or other drug therapies on various different outcomes.

Relationship of testis size and LH levels with incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events in older men with sexual dysfunction.

Introduction: Measurement of testis volume (TV) is a reliable clinical procedure that predicts reproductive fitness. However, the role of TV in overall and cardiovascular (CV) fitness has never been studied.

Aim: The study aims to analyze the clinical correlates of TV in patients with sexual dysfunction (SD) and to verify the value of this parameter and its determinants (i.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and pancreatitis risk: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Aim: Some observational studies reporting an increased risk of pancreatitis in association with Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) have raised concerns on the overall safety of this class. Aim of the present meta-analysis is the systematic collection of information on pancreatitis in randomized clinical trials with DPP4i.

Data Sources: an extensive Medline, Embase and Cochrane Database search for 'vildagliptin', 'sitagliptin', 'saxagliptin', 'alogliptin', 'linagliptin' and 'dutogliptin' was performed up to 1 March 2013.

Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on cardiovascular risk: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Aims: New drugs for type 2 diabetes need to demonstrate their cardiovascular safety, due regulatory requirements from the Food and Drug Administration. For this reason, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are currently undergoing large-scale, long-term randomized trials specifically designed for cardiovascular outcomes. Aim of the present meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials is the assessment of the effects of GLP-1 RA on major cardiovascular events (MACE), mortality and cardiovascular risk factors.

Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation in elderly men: a meta-analysis study of placebo-controlled trials.

Context: Age-related dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) deficiency has been associated with a broad range of biological abnormalities in males.

Object: Our objective was to meta-analyze all double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of oral DHEA (DHEA supplementation) in comparison with placebo on sexual and metabolic outcomes in elderly men.

Data Source: An extensive Medline Embase and Cochrane search was performed including the following words: DHEA, RCTs, and males.

Fit and motivated: outcome predictors in patients starting a program for lifestyle change.

Background: In previous pilot studies we have demonstrated that the Treatment Motivation and Readiness Test (TRE-MORE) is capable of predicting the outcome of obesity therapy and that a higher muscle mass (MM) is associated with a greater weight loss. Purposes of the present study were: to confirm the predictive value of TRE-MORE scores and MM, using a standardized non-pharmacologic intervention for weight loss; to explore the relationship between TRE-MORE and MM; to discriminate predictors of attendance from predictors of final therapeutic success.

Methods: A consecutive series of 331 patients was enrolled and addressed to a standardized treatment protocol.

The Eating Disorders Well Being Questionnaire (EDwell): a new measure of quality of life in eating disorders.

Purpose: Eating disorders (EDs) are an important cause of physical morbidity and psychosocial impairment, and eating disordered patients have a worse quality of life than peers. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a new self-report instrument, the Eating Disorders Well Being Questionnaire (EDwell), a measure of eating disorders-related quality of life, which takes into consideration not only the intensity, but also the subjective relevance of physical and psychosocial distress.

Methods: The questionnaire was administered to 120 eating disordered patients and 60 healthy controls.

Fasting and post-prandial glucose and diabetic complication. A meta-analysis.

Background: The reduction of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels is recognized as a useful means of preventing diabetic complications. HbA1c results from both fasting and post-prandial glycemia, and therefore FPG and PPG could provide different, and independent, contributions to long-term outcomes. Aim of the present meta-analysis is the assessment of the effects of reduction of FPG and PPG on cardiovascular outcomes in randomized controlled trials.

Long-term treatment with Sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, reduces colon carcinogenesis and reactive oxygen species in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced rats.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and insulin resistance (IR) increase colon cancer risk. Antidiabetic drugs stabilizing incretin hormones, such as inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 activity (DPP4i), may affect colon carcinogenesis; however, the data remain controversial. Therefore, the authors studied whether long-term administration of the DPP4i Sitagliptin (SITA) affects 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis.

Fat boosts, while androgen receptor activation counteracts, BPH-associated prostate inflammation.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) are often comorbid. Chronic inflammation, a determinant pathogenic factor for BPH, is a putative link between the two conditions.

Methods: In a multi-center cohort of BPH patients (n = 244) who underwent prostatectomy, we evaluated whether MetS is associated with prostatic inflammation in BPH specimens.

Cardiovascular safety of sulfonylureas: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Aim: Cardiovascular safety of sulfonylurea has been questioned by some authors. This article aims at collecting all available data on this issue from randomized trials.

Methods: A meta-analysis was performed including all trials with a duration of at least 6 months, comparing a sulfonylurea with a non-sulfonylurea agent in type 2 diabetes.

Determinants of testosterone recovery after bariatric surgery: is it only a matter of reduction of body mass index?

Objective: To explore the correlation models between body mass index (BMI) and sex hormones constructed from a male cross-sectional survey and evaluate the effects of surgery-induced weight loss on sex hormones in morbidly obese subjects that are not predicted by the constructed BMI correlation models.

Design: Cross-sectional population and longitudinal studies.

Setting: Bariatric surgery center in a university hospital.

Body weight loss reverts obesity-associated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Few randomized clinical studies have evaluated the impact of diet and physical activity on testosterone levels in obese men with conflicting results. Conversely, studies on bariatric surgery in men generally have shown an increase in testosterone levels. The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of available trials on the effect of body weight loss on sex hormones levels.

Depression as a risk factor for diabetes: a meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.

Objective: The present meta-analysis aimed to assess the risk of incident diabetes associated with clinical depression, depressive symptoms, or both in nondiabetic subjects.

Data Sources: We performed a MEDLINE search for studies published in the English language using the search string diabetes AND (depression OR antidepressant). The search included studies from any date to December 30, 2011.

Further data on beta-blockers and cancer risk: observational study and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Background: The aim of the present paper is to provide some further data on the relationship between β-blocker treatment and the incidence of cancer, using two different approaches (epidemiological study and meta-analysis of clinical trials).

Methods: In a consecutive series of 1340 diabetic patients starting insulin therapy, 112 cases of cancer during a mean follow-up of 75.9 months were identified as first hospital admission or death.

Efficacy and safety of degludec insulin: a meta-analysis of randomised trials.

Objectives: Degludec is a novel long-acting insulin analogue, providing an adequate supply of basal insulin over 24 hours with one daily injection, with a supposed greater reproducibility and flexibility than other basal insulins.

Methods: An extensive search of Medline and the Cochrane Library for 'degludec' was performed, up to July 1st, 2012, collecting all randomised trials with a duration of at least 16 weeks and enrolling patients with diabetes. The principal outcome was the effect of degludec, compared with other basal insulins, on endpoint HbA1c and hypoglycaemia.

Effect of pioglitazone versus metformin on cardiovascular risk markers in type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: Besides its critical role in metabolic homeostasis, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ modulates several cellular responses involved in atherothrombosis. This multicenter, double-blind, randomized study investigated the effects of two oral hypoglycemic agents on markers of inflammation, platelet activation, thrombogenesis, and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods And Results: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect on C-reactive protein (CRP) after a 16-week treatment period with either pioglitazone or metformin.

The identification of prediabetes condition with ARIC algorithm predicts long-term CV events in patients with erectile dysfunction.

Introduction: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) algorithm is one of the most efficient instruments for the prediction of incident type 2 diabetes. Recently, it has been shown to predict another relevant cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, such as chronic kidney disease.

Aim: To verify whether, in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED), the use of ARIC diabetes risk score might improve the efficacy in predicting major CV events of other CV risk algorithms specifically developed for the assessment of CV risk.

Risk factors associated with primary and secondary reduced libido in male patients with sexual dysfunction.

Introduction: Hypoactive sexual desire is defined as a persistent or recurrent deficient or absent sexual fantasies or desire for sexual activity that should not be comorbid with other medical conditions or with the use of psychoactive medications. Reduced libido is a symptom referring more to a reduction in sexual drive for sexual activity.

Aim: To investigate the risk factors of primary reduced libido (i.

Lipid accumulation product and 25-OH-vitamin D deficiency in type 2 diabetes.

Background: Emerging data suggest a link between vitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and visceral adiposity. The lipid accumulation product (LAP), strictly correlated with abdominal fat depots, is proposed as marker of dysfunctional adiposity.

Aim: To verify the association between 25(OH)D levels and LAP in T2D.