Abstract
Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is one of the most common genetic causes of male infertility. This condition is associated with much comorbidity and with a lower life expectancy. The aim of this review is to explore more in depth cardiovascular and metabolic disorders associated to KS. KS patients have an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease (standardized mortality ratio, SMR, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.6–3.0), but it is not clear whether the cause of the death is of thrombotic or hemorrhagic nature. Cardiovascular congenital anomalies (SMR, 7.3; 95% CI, 2.4–17.1) and the development of thrombosis or leg ulcers (SMR, 7.9; 95% CI, 2.9–17.2) are also more frequent in these subjects. Moreover, cardiovascular abnormalities may be at least partially reversed by testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). KS patients have also an increased probability of endocrine and/or metabolic disease, especially obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The effects of TRT on these abnormalities are not entirely clear.
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Acknowledgements
On behalf of the Klinefelter ItaliaN Group (KING). Coordinators: Giancarlo Balercia (Ancona), Marco Bonomi (Milano), Aldo E. Calogero (Catania), Giovanni Corona (Bologna), Andrea Fabbri (Roma), Alberto Ferlin (Padova), Felice Francavilla (L’Aquila), Vito Giagulli (Conversano, Bari), Fabio Lanfranco (Torino), Mario Maggi (Firenze), Daniela Pasquali (Napoli), Rosario Pivonello (Napoli), Alessandro Pizzocaro (Milano), Antonio Radicioni (Roma), Vincenzo Rochira (Modena), Linda Vignozzi (Firenze); Members: Giacomo Accardo (Napoli), Biagio Cangiano (Milano), Rosita A. Condorelli (Catania), Giuliana Cordeschi (L’Aquila), Settimio D’Andrea (L’Aquila), Antonella Di Mambro (Padova), Daniela Esposito (Napoli), Carlo Foresta (Padova), Sandro Francavilla (L’Aquila), Mariano Galdiero (Napoli), Andrea Garolla (Padova), Lara Giovannini (Ancona), Antonio R.M. Granata (Modena), Sandro La Vignera (Catania), Giovanna Motta (Torino), Luciano Negri (Milano), Fiore Pelliccione (L’Aquila), Luca Persani (Milano), Ciro Salzano (Napoli), Daniele Santi (Modena), Riccardo Selice (Padova), Manuela Simoni (Modena), Carla Tatone (L’Aquila), Giacomo Tirabassi (Ancona), Alberto Stefano Tresoldi (Milano), Enzo Vicari (Catania).
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AEC, LMM, VT and DP declare that they have no conflict of interest. VAG has been a paid speaker and/or consultant for Bayer. EAJ is or has been a paid speaker and/or consultant for Bayer, Bracco, Gsk, IBSA, Menarini and Pfizer.
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Calogero, A.E., Giagulli, V.A., Mongioì, L.M. et al. Klinefelter syndrome: cardiovascular abnormalities and metabolic disorders. J Endocrinol Invest 40, 705–712 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-017-0619-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-017-0619-9