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Hypogonadism is common in men with myopathies
Talal M Al-Harbi1, Laura J Bainbridge, Matthew J McQueen
1Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Clinical Neuromuscular Disease
|June 6, 2008
Summary
Hypogonadism, or low testosterone, is common in men with various myopathies, not just myotonic muscular dystrophy type 1. Testosterone
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neurology
- Muscle Diseases
Background:
- Hypogonadism is known in myotonic muscular dystrophy type 1.
- Its prevalence in other myopathies remains unevaluated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess hypogonadism prevalence across different myopathies.
- Compare hypogonadism rates in myotonic muscular dystrophy type 1 versus other myopathies.
Main Methods:
- Measured total and free serum testosterone in 59 men.
- Included patients with myotonic muscular dystrophy type 1, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, dystrophinopathy, metabolic myopathy, and inclusion body myositis.
- Compared results to normal reference intervals.
Main Results:
- 54% of participants had low total testosterone.
- 39% had low total and free testosterone.
- No significant difference in hypogonadism prevalence between myotonic muscular dystrophy type 1 and other myopathies, even after age adjustment.
Conclusions:
- Hypogonadism is a frequent condition in men with myopathies.
- Testosterone is crucial for maintaining muscle mass.
- Consideration of hypogonadism treatment in myopathy patients is recommended.
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