Introduction

The concept of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH), defined as “a clinical and biochemical syndrome associated with advancing age and characterized by typical symptoms and a deficiency in serum testosterone levels,” has recently gained increased attention. However, it is already apparent that there are many eugonadal patients who complain of LOH symptoms, that are erectile dysfunction ED in sexual dysfunction, changes in mood and depression, sleep disturbances, decrease in lean body mass, increase in visceral fat, decrease in body hair and skin alterations, and decreased bone mineral density. The study regarding the relation between seventeen symptom of Aging Male Symptoms rating scale (AMS) questionnaire and serum hormonal profiles has not been fully understood.

Methods

The study comprised 896 outpatients (mean age, 50.2 ± 10.6 years) who visited our clinic with symptom of LOH. The total score of AMS questionnaire was 40.9 ± 11.8. We measured serum concentration of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), cortisol and total testosterone as the endocrinologic examination and assessed LOH symptom by AMS questionnaire. The associations between seventeen symptoms of AMS and hormonal profile were evaluated by multivariate linear regression model after adjustment for age._x000D_ RESULTS: Significant association was found in question 3 (P=0.049), 7 (P=0.007), and 11 (P=0.010) in IGF-1, only question 2 in DHEA-S (P=0.035), question 6 (P=0.023), 8 (P=0.002), 10 (P=0.002), and 15 (P=0.022) in cortisol, and only question 17 (P=0.033) in testosterone, respectively._x000D_

Results

Significant association was found in question 3 (P=0.049), 7 (P=0.007), and 11 (P=0.010) in IGF-1, only question 2 in DHEA-S (P=0.035), question 6 (P=0.023), 8 (P=0.002), 10 (P=0.002), and 15 (P=0.022) in cortisol, and only question 17 (P=0.033) in testosterone, respectively.

Conclusions

Serum testosterone concentration is only associated with question 17 (Decrease in sexual desire/libido). Other endocrinologic examinations such as IGF-1, DHEA-S and cortisol may be necessary for the diagnosis of LOH.

Funding

none