Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Rehospitalization in Older Men with Testosterone Deficiency in a Postacute Care Setting

Objective The aim of the study was to examine whether receipt of testosterone replacement therapy was associated with reduced 30-day rehospitalization after postacute care among older men with testosterone deficiency. Design, Patients, and Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a 5% national sample of Medicare beneficiaries. We identified 1290 nonsurgical inpatient postacute care discharges between January 1, 2007, and October 31, 2014, for male patients, 66 yrs or older, with a previous diagnosis of testosterone deficiency. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for 30-day postacute care rehospitalization related to receipt of testosterone replacement therapy. Results In older men with testosterone deficiency, receipt of testosterone replacement therapy was not associated with rehospitalization (odds ratio = 0.87, 95% confidence interval, 0.59-1.29) in the 30 days after postacute care discharge. These findings persisted after adjustment for quintile of propensity scores (odds ratio = 0.90, 95% confidence interval = 0.62-1.30). Conclusion Testosterone replacement therapy was not associated with reduced rehospitalization after postacute care discharge in older men with testosterone deficiency. Further research in this population should examine the effects of testosterone replacement therapy on functional recovery and community independence.