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Urology14 papers

Delta-4-3-oxosteroid-5-beta-reductase deficiency

Last edited: 4/10/2026

Overview

Delta-4-3-oxosteroid-5-beta-reductase deficiency is a rare genetic disorder that affects steroid metabolism. It is characterized by a deficiency in the enzyme delta-4-3-oxosteroid 5-beta-reductase, which plays a role in the conversion of androgens and other steroids. This deficiency can lead to a spectrum of clinical manifestations, often related to hormonal imbalances.

Diagnosis

  • No specific diagnostic criteria or recommended tests are mentioned in the provided abstracts.
  • Management

  • 5α-Reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) are prescribed for benign prostatic obstruction and androgenic alopecia 1.
  • Specific 5-ARIs mentioned include finasteride and dutasteride 1.
  • Special Populations

  • No specific information regarding special populations is available in the provided abstracts.
  • Key Recommendations

  • There is no statistically significant association between 5α-reductase inhibitor exposure and the risk of depression (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.30, 95% CI 0.85-2.00; p = 0.23) or suicide (aHR 1.30, 95% CI 0.65-2.61; p = 0.45) 1.
  • Subgroup analyses for finasteride and dutasteride revealed similar results regarding depression and suicide risk 1.
  • When restricting the analysis to patients without a prior diagnosis of depression, similar findings were observed for suicide risk (aHR 1.00, 95% CI 0.68-1.46; p = 0.98) 1.
  • A pooled analysis of over two million patients taking 5α-reductase inhibitors found no evidence of an association between their use and the risk of depression or suicide 1.
  • (Evidence: Moderate)

    References

    1 Uleri A, Nicolas Cornu J, Gobbo A, Herrmann TRW, De Nunzio C, Hashim H et al.. Association of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors with Depression and Suicide: A Mini Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. European urology focus 2024. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Association of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors with Depression and Suicide: A Mini Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Uleri A, Nicolas Cornu J, Gobbo A, Herrmann TRW, De Nunzio C, Hashim H et al. European urology focus (2024)

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