Risk factors for late-onset hypogonadism

Area of Science:

• Andrology
• Endocrinology
• Men's Health

Background:

• The European Male Aging Study (EMAS) established diagnostic criteria for late-onset hypogonadism (LOH), including serum total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), and sexual symptoms.
• Risk factors for LOH using these specific EMAS criteria have not been extensively reported.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the risk factors associated with late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) in adult men based on the established EMAS diagnostic criteria.
• To identify clinical and biochemical parameters that predict the presence of LOH.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 277 men aged 36-80 years underwent health check-ups and completed questionnaires on health, lifestyle, and sexual function.
• Serum total testosterone (TT) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured; free testosterone (FT) was calculated. Clinical data including systolic blood pressure (SBP), glucose, and waist circumference were collected.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in TT, FT, age, waist circumference, SBP, and glucose were observed between LOH-positive and LOH-negative individuals.
• Univariate regression analysis identified age, waist circumference, SBP, glucose, and general health status as significant risk factors for LOH.
• Pearson's correlation analysis showed inverse correlations between TT and waist circumference, glucose, and SBP, and between FT and age, SBP, and health status.

Conclusions:

• Age, increased waist circumference, elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP), and higher glucose levels are identified as significant risk factors for late-onset hypogonadism (LOH).
• These factors are crucial for identifying men at risk of developing LOH and may inform preventative strategies.