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Low testosterone levels in elderly men with dysthymic disorder
Stuart N Seidman1, Andre B Araujo, Steven P Roose
1Late Life Depression Clinic, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA.
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|March 1, 2002
Summary
Elderly men with dysthymic disorder have lower total testosterone levels than those with major depression or no depression, suggesting a link to hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis hypofunction.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis function declines in elderly men.
- Dysthymic disorder is prevalent in elderly men.
- Shared symptoms of HPG axis hypofunction and dysthymic disorder include fatigue and low libido.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare total testosterone levels in elderly men with dysthymic disorder, major depressive disorder, and no depression.
Main Methods:
- Total testosterone levels were measured in three groups: major depressive disorder (N=13), dysthymic disorder (N=32), and a comparison group (N=175).
- Participants were elderly men meeting DSM-IV criteria for depression or scoring below the median on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale.
Main Results:
- No demographic differences (age, weight) were observed among the groups.
- Median testosterone levels were 295 ng/dl for dysthymic disorder, 425 ng/dl for major depressive disorder, and 423 ng/dl for the comparison group.
- Statistically significant differences in testosterone levels were found between the dysthymic disorder group and the other two groups.
Conclusions:
- Elderly men with dysthymic disorder exhibit lower total testosterone levels compared to those with major depressive disorder or no depression.
- Dysthymic disorder in elderly men may be associated with HPG axis hypofunction.