Aksam Yassin

Hamad Medical Corporation | HMC · Surgical Department (Hamad General Hospital)

Purpose: Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is associated with testosterone deficiency and is a symptom of functional hypogonadism. A correlation between ED and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) has been recognized, and ED has been proposed as an early marker of CVD. However, the relationship between ED and CVD risk in hypogonadism requires clarification and whe...

The three-piece Inflatable Penile Prosthesis (IPP) is a well-established treatment for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) that is resistant to pharmacological and mechanical interventions. While advances in device design and surgical techniques have improved outcomes, challenges in tubing management during implantation persist. Improper alignment or kinking...

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychological condition that may develop in certain individuals following exposure to life-threatening or traumatic events. Distressing symptoms, including flashbacks, are characterized by disrupted stress responses, fear, anxiety, avoidance tendencies, and disturbances in sleep patterns. The...

Background: The world has witnessed one of the largest pandemics, dubbed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of December 2020, the USA alone reported 98,948 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection during pregnancy, with 109 related maternal deaths. Current evidence suggests that unvaccinated pregnant wom...

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and global impact on healthcare systems worldwide, presenting unprecedented challenges for healthcare workers (HCWs) on the front. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms during the coronavirus pandemic among healthcare professionals in Qatar. Methods A cross-sectio...

Testosterone formulations have been available to patients since the 1930s but have proven less than ideal. Conventional injectable testosterone esters have been used as testosterone replacement but generate supraphysiological testosterone concentrations shortly after injection followed by a rapid decline, becoming subphysiological in the days befor...

Boronic acids/esters have recently emerged in the field of medicinal and pharmaceutical research due to their exceptional oxophilicity, low toxicity, and unique structure. They are known as potent enzyme inhibitors, cancer therapy capture agents, and can mimic certain types of antibodies to fight infections. They have been designed and developed in...

Functional hypogonadism is a condition characterized by low testosterone concentrations, occurring more commonly in men as they age. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is used to categorize the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and related symptoms in hypogonadal men. Testosterone therapy (TTh) has previously shown potent...

Background Functional hypogonadism is a condition in which some, but not all, older men have low testosterone levels. Rather than chronological age per se, the causality of hypogonadism includes obesity and impaired general health (e.g., metabolic syndrome). An association between testosterone deficiency and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) has...

Epidural steroid injection is an effective method for treating spinal pain that is associated with many spinal pathologies. It is considered an excellent, cost-efficient, safe and relatively effective method to treat progressive pain that is not associated with progressive neurological dysfunction and when urgent surgical intervention is not i...

Background and Aims On March 11, 2020, the WHO has declared COVID‐19 a global pandemic, affecting our day‐to‐day lives. Physical distancing and lockdown made significant obstacles to populations, particularly healthcare systems. Most healthcare workers were reallocated to COVID‐19 facilities. Noncommunicable disease patients were given low priority...

Nocturia is common in the elderly. Nocturnal polyuria, caused by insufficient anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), is one of the main causes of nocturia associated with aging. We investigated the effects of desmopressin (synthetic ADH analogue) on nocturia and sleep quality in elderly patients. Forty elderly (mean age 61 years) patients (22 females) were r...

Hypogonadism is receiving recognition for being a risk factor for fatty liver and impaired kidney function [1,2]. Emerging data, summarized here, suggest that long-term treatment with testosterone undecanoate injection may improve both liver and kidney function as well as metabolic deterioration with favorable safety profile on metabolism and prost...

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are caused by higher tension at the bladder neck level (due to fibrosis or stiffness) or benign prostatic hyperplasia, which causes static obstruction of the bladder outlet. Both forms cause a group of symptoms such as hesitancy, intermittency, weak stream, nocturia, urine frequency, and urgency. Additionally, LU...

Real-life 12 years data show that long-term treatment with testosterone treatment has significant reduction in mortality [1-3] and increase of hematocrit, which theoretically could increase risk of fatal cardiovascular events, could not be proven [4]. Summarizing results of research results that aimed to throw the light on the relationship betwee...

There is overwhelming evidence to suggest that male gender is at a higher risk of developing more severe Covid-19 disease and thus having poorer clinical outcomes. However, the relationship between testosterone (T) and Covid-19 remains unclear with both protective and deleterious effects on different aspects of the disease suggested. Here, we revie...

There is overwhelming evidence to suggest that male gender is at a higher risk of developing more severe Covid-19 disease and thus having poorer clinical outcomes. However, the relationship between testosterone (T) and Covid-19 remains unclear with both protective and deleterious effects on different aspects of the disease suggested. Here, we revie...

Testosterone therapy (TTh) is the primary treatment for aging men with functional hypogonadism. Whilst the benefits of testosterone (T) replacement are well-evidenced, the long-term data for TTh on metabolic and endocrine parameters is limited. Here we present the effect of TTh on endocrine parameters in hypogonadal men at a 12-year follow-up. In t...

Background & Aims The BioNTech‐Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine offered to children among all available vaccines. However, limited evidence is available about the clinical outcomes of COVID‐19 vaccines, especially among children and adolescents. This review offers a comprehensive and up‐to‐date overview of the BioNTech‐Pfizer vaccine's current in...

Background: The BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine offered to children among all available vaccines. However, limited evidence is available about the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 vaccines, especially among children and adolescents. This review offers a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine’s current informat...

Background: Inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) is the mainstream treatment of refractory erectile dysfunction (ED). Usually, Space of Retzius (SOR) is the usual IPP reservoir placement space, however, more concerns regarding this space complication have emerged due to its anatomical proximity to some major structures. Intravesical reservoir erosion...

Objective: A 64 year old diabetic patient, presented to our clinic suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED). A 3-pieces of inflatable penileprosthesis (IPP) was inserted. He was satisfied and used the device efficiently.Patient suffered from a minor lower abdominal blunt trauma. Followed by a suddenonset of lower abdominal pain and gross hematuria,...

Purpose Erectile dysfunction (ED) is associated with testosterone deficiency and is a symptom of functional hypogonadism. A correlation between ED and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been recognized, and ED has been proposed as an early marker of CVD. However, the relationship between ED and CVD risk in hypogonadism requires clarification and whet...

Objectives Testosterone therapy (TTh) is the main treatment for elderly men with hypogonadism. No evidence of the long-term effectiveness of TTh on renal function is reported to date. Methods In this study, we evaluated the long-term TTh of testosterone undecanoate (TU) administration on renal function parameters in 496 symptomatic hypogonadal men...

Objectives: To report the association between testosterone treatment in hypogonadal men with hepatic steatosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: A prospective study was conducted to assess the physiological and functional performance of the long-term effects of testosterone undecanoate treatment on hep...

According to literature, the longest-term follow-up on testosterone therapy (TTh) in hypogonadal men is 12 years. In this registry study, we assessed effects of TTh for up to 15 years.

Radical prostatectomy is a life saving treatment for localised prostate cancer but may come with debilitating consequences, such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Penile Prosthesis Implants (PPI) are the gold standard of treatment for patients with refractory Erectile Dysfunction (ED) resistant to conservative management. Likewise, an A...

Objectives: To report the association between testosterone treatment in hypogonadal men with hepatic steatosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: A prospective study was conducted to assess the physiological and functional performance of the long-term effects of testosterone undecanoate treatment on hepati...

Objectives: To review the latest innovations and advances in testosterone treatments including their advantages and disadvantages and to address important issues in testosterone therapy (TTh). Methods: This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. The PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus...

Introduction: We have previously demonstrated improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors in hypogonadal men on long-term TTh. Methods: Cumulative registry study to investigate long-term effectiveness and safety of 3-monthly TU to treat hypogonadism was established in 2004 in a urological setting. Of 805 hypogonadal men, 412 received parenteral T...

Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased risk of erectile dysfunction. Penile prosthesis implantation is an efficient therapeutic option for erectile dysfunction, but not without risk, as infection remains a prominent concern. This study investigates diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for penile prosthesis implantation infection Correspondenc...

Introduction & Objectives: Testosterone therapy (TTh) is the primary treatment for aging men with functional hypogonadism. However, the longterm effectiveness of TTh on renal function has not yet been fully investigated. Materials & Methods: In this observational, prospective, cumulative registry study, we assess the long-term effects of testostero...

Introduction & Objectives: Cumulative registry study to investigate long-term effectiveness and safety of 3-monthly TU to treat hypogonadism was established in 2004 in a urological setting. Of 805 hypogonadal men, 412 received parenteral TU 1000 mg/12 weeks (T-group) for up to 12 years. 393 men opted against TTh and served as controls (CTRL). 10-ye...

A facile and unprecedented synthesis of 2,3‐diiodinated N‐arylbenzimidamide derivatives through highly regioselective Buchwald‐Hartwig coupling of 5‐substituted‐1,2,3‐triiodobenzene and amidine is described. Remarkably, the amination reactions are proceeded exclusively at the terminal positions, the less sterically hindered, and the most regioactiv...

An efficient and unprecedented synthesis of 2,3-diiodinated N-aryl carbamate derivatives through highly regioselective Ullmann-type C-N arylation reactions of 5-substituted-1,2,3-triiodobenzene and primary carbamate is described. Remarkably, the amination reactions are proceeded exclusively at the terminal positions, the less sterically hindered, a...

A facile and unprecedented synthesis of 2,3-diiodinated or 2,6-diiodinated diarylether/thioether derivatives through regioselective Ullmann-type cross couplings of 5-substituted-1,2,3-triiodobenzene and phenols/thiophenols is described. Remarkably, the coupling reactions are simply controlled by the type of nucleophiles and the nature of C5 substit...

The current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has a male bias in severity and mortality. This is consistent with previous coronavirus pandemics such as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, and viral infections in general. Here, we discuss the sex-dis-aggregated epidemiological dat...

A facile synthesis of 2,3-diiodinated N-arylaniline derivatives via highly regioselective Buchwald-Hartwig amination of 5-substituted-1,2,3-triiodobenzene is described. Remarkably, the amination reactions proceeded exclusively at the terminal positions, the less sterically hindered and the most regioactive positions. The highest yields were isolate...

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and both are prevalent in men with testosterone deficiency. Long-term effects of testosterone therapy (TTh) on NAFLD are not well studied. This observational, prospective, cumulative registry study assesses long-term effects of testosterone undecanoate (TU) on...

Objective: Testosterone therapy (TTh) is the primary treatment for aging men with functional hypogonadism. However, the long-term effectiveness of TTh on renal function has not yet been fully investigated. Material and Methods: In this observational, prospective, cumulative registry study, we assess the long-term effects of testosterone undecanoate...

Objective: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a public health threat. Prediabetes represents a window of opportunity for intervention to prevent T2D. Men with T2D and prediabetes often have low testosterone. Since testosterone improves glycemic control in T2D, we investigated whether testosterone therapy (TTh) in men with hypogonadism and prediabetes preven...

With prostate cancer not observed in eunuchs and total androgen suppression by castration an effective first-line treatment for advanced prostate cancer, the dramatic regression seen in tumour symptoms after castration, lead to the theory that high levels of circulating androgens were a risk factor for prostate cancer. This theory however, ignored...

Around 400 million people across the globe will suffer from asthma in the next 10 years. Although most asthmatics use asthma medications regularly, they occasionally visit the emergency department for aggressive treatment amidst family anxiousness. Vitamin D (VD) not only regulates the expression of genes associated with calcium homeostasis, but al...

Objectives Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection, encountered primarily in immunocompromised patients. It is the third most common angioinvasive fungal infection after candidiasis and aspergillosis. Isolated mucormycosis of the kidney may be seen in patients with diabetes or renal transplantation, but such an occurrence in apparently healthy immu...

Background: The benefits and risks of long-term testosterone administration have been a topic of much scientific and regulatory interest in recent years. Aim: To assess long-term quality of life (QOL) and sexual function benefits of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) prospectively in a diverse, multinational cohort of men with hypogonadism....

Testosterone formulations have been available to patients since the 1930s, but have proven less than ideal. Conventional injectable testosterone esters are being used as testosterone replacement, but generate supraphysiological testosterone concentrations shortly after injection followed by a rapid decline, becoming subphysiological in the days bef...

This study investigated the role of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in prostate safety and cancer progression. A cohort of 553 patients, 42 treated and 162 untreated hypogonadal men, and 349 eugonadal men were included. Pathological analysis of prostate biopsies examining the incidence and severity of PCa revealed that: 16.7% of treated hypo...

128 Background: Major concern regarding testosterone therapy (TRT) in middle-aged and elderly men is still prostate safety or cancer Methods: 553 prostate biopsies (2008-2013) were performed at our institute. 22 patients refused biopsy. We investigated incidence and severity of PCa in three groups: hypogonadal (T ≤ 350 ng/dl) men receiving TRT, hyp...

We and others have previously shown that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) results in sustained weight loss in the majority of middle-aged hypogonadal men. Previously, however, a small proportion failed to lose at least 5% of their baseline weight. The reason for this is not yet understood. In the present study, we sought to identify early ind...

Waist circumference is considered a useful predictor of obesity-associated cardiovascular risk, but its use as an indicator of sexual health status and quality of life (QoL) in hypogonadal men is unknown. We investigated whether three measurements of obesity, weight, body mass index and waist circumference, correlate with the International Index of...

Background/objectives Long-term testosterone therapy (TTh) in men with hypogonadism has been shown to improve all components of the metabolic syndrome. In this study, we investigated the effects of long-term TTh up to 8 years in hypogonadal men with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Patients and methods In two urological clinics observati...

With great interest and appreciation, we read about the additional analyses Drs. Mazur and Westerman have performed on the source data of our registry which we shared with them in pursuit of gaining further insight into potential mechanisms involved in the effectiveness of long-term testosterone therapy in hypogonadal men. This article is protected...

Subnormal levels of testosterone are associated with significant negative health consequences, with higher risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. The numbers of studies reporting on the benefits of normalisation of testosterone is increasing but longer-term data on (elderly) men receiving testosterone treatment are almost nonexistent. In...

Whether testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a lifelong treatment for men with hypogonadism remains unknown. We investigated long-term TRT and TRT withdrawal on obesity and prostate-related parameters. Two hundred and sixty-two hypogonadal patients (mean age 59.5) received testosterone undecanoate in 12-week intervals for a maximum of 11 years...

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) improves the long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of men with late-onset hypogonadism (LOH), as studies have shown that sub-physiological testosterone levels have a negative impact on psychological (e.g. mood, vitality, libido and sexual interest) and physic...