Laboratory diagnosis of late-onset male hypogonadism andropause

Applying machine learning techniques to the identification of late-onset hypogonadism in elderly men

In the diagnosis of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH), the Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male (ADAM) questionnaire or Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scale can be used to assess related symptoms. Subsequently, blood tests are used to measure serum testosterone levels. However, results obtained using ADAM and AMS have revealed no significant correlations between ADAM and AMS scores and LOH, and the rate of misclassification is high. Recently, many studies have reported significant associations between clinical conditions such as the metabolic syndrome, obesity, lower urinary tract symptoms, and LOH. In this study, we sampled 772 clinical cases of men who completed both a health checkup and two questionnaires (ADAM and AMS). The data were obtained from the largest medical center in Taiwan. Two well-known classification techniques, the decision tree (DT) and logistic regression, were used to construct LOH prediction models on the basis of the aforementioned features. The results indicate that although the sensitivity of ADAM is the highest (0.878), it has the lowest specificity (0.099), which implies that ADAM overestimates LOH occurrence. In addition, DT combined with the AdaBoost technique (AdaBoost DT) has the second highest sensitivity (0.861) and specificity (0.842), resulting in having the best accuracy (0.851) among all classifiers. AdaBoost DT can provide robust predictions that will aid clinical decisions and can help medical staff in accurately assessing the possibilities of LOH occurrence.

Age-related testosterone decline in a Brazilian cohort of healthy military men

INTRODUCTION

Androgen decline in the aging man has become a topic of increasing clinical relevance worldwide, as the reduction in testosterone levels has been reported to be accompanied by loss of muscle mass, accumulation of central adiposity, impaired mobility and increase risk of bone fractures. Although well-established in studies conducted in developed countries, progressive decline in serum testosterone levels with age has been poorly investigated in Brazil.

AIM

To determine the pattern of blood testosterone concentrations decline with age in a cohort of Brazilian healthy military men.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed data on serum testosterone measurements of healthy individuals that had undergone a routine check-up at the Military Biology Institute. Blood samples were obtained early in the morning, and total testosterone concentration was determined using a commercial chemoluminescent immunoassay. Mean values were analyzed in five age groups: ≤ 40, 41 to 50, 51 to 60, 61 to 70, and > 70 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Mean total testosterone levels.

RESULTS

1,623 subjects were included in the analysis; mean age was 57 years (24 to 87), and mean testosterone level was 575.5 ng/dL (25.0 to 1308.0 ng/dL). The evaluation of age-related changes in total testosterone levels revealed a progressive reduction in serum levels of this hormone with increasing age. Testosterone levels below 300 ng/dL were reported in 321 participants, a prevalence of nearly 20% in the study population.

CONCLUSION

In agreement with other findings, a reduction of total testosterone levels with age was reported for healthy Brazilian men.

Short term testosterone replacement therapy improves libido and body composition

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of testosterone replacement in males with late-onset hypogonadism compared to hypogonadal men without replacement, and controls, during six months.

METHODS

We assessed, through ADAM, AMS, IIEF-5 and SF-36 questionnaires, and through clinical and laboratory examinations, 62 patients divided into three groups: 17 hypogonadal males (HR) used intramuscular testosterone every three weeks; 14 hypogonadal males (HV) and 31 non-hypogonadal males (CV) used oral vitamins daily.

RESULTS

When compared to others, HR group obtained libido improvement assessed by ADAM 1 (p = 0.004), and borderline sexual potency improvement assessed by IIEF-5 (p = 0.053), besides a decrease in waist circumference after eight weeks (p = 0.018). The remaining parameters did not differ between the groups. PSA and hematocrit remained stable in those using testosterone.

CONCLUSION

Six months of testosterone replacement improved sexuality and body composition, with prostatic and hematological safety.

Evaluation of late-onset hypogonadism (andropause) treatment using three different formulations of injectable testosterone

OBJECTIVE

To compare the modalities of treatment for male hypogonadism available in Brazil.

METHODS

Thirty-two men with late-onset hypogonadism ('andropause') were followed-up in the Hospital de Guarnição de Florianópolis, in Florianópolis, south Brazil. Clinical diagnosis was established according to AMS questionnaire (positive if equal to or higher than 27 points), and laboratory diagnosis was made through low values of total testosterone (under 300 ng/dL) and/or free calculated testosterone (under 6.5 ng/dL). Patients were randomized to three non-enteral treatment groups (Deposteron--11 patients; Durateston--11 patients; and Nebido--10 patients).

RESULTS

Clinically, Nebido seemed to be superior when compared to Deposteron (mean value of improvement percentage; p = 0.03) and when compared to Durateston (post-treatment average AMS score; p = 0.03). According to laboratory analysis, Nebido showed higher testosterone levels than Deposteron and Durateston (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

All non-enteral testosterone formulas available in the Brazilian market are efficient in raising testosterone levels and in clinical improvement of hypogonadal patients. Nebido showed both a better clinical and laboratory effectiveness.

Total estradiol, rather than testosterone levels, predicts osteoporosis in aging men

OBJECTIVE: To study and establish sex hormone cutoff levels for osteoporosis risk in men over 50 years old. METHODS: Case-control study of 216 men > 50 years, 110 with osteoporosis (O) and 106 with normal bone density (C). We measured estradiol (E2), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), total testosterone (TT) and albumin. Free testosterone (FT) and bioavailable testosterone (BT) were calculated through Vermeulen's formula. RESULTS: There was no difference in TT between groups. Relative risks of osteoporosis were 1.89 for E2 < 37 pg/mL (p = 0.02); 1.91 for SHBG > 55 nmol/L (p = 0.019); 2.5 for FT < 7 ng/dL (p = 0.015); 2.7 for BT < 180 ng/dL (p = 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: In men over 50 years old, TT was not indicative of osteoporosis risk while E2 < 37 ng/mL was. SHBG > 55 nmol/L, FT < 7 ng/dL and BT < 180 ng/dL can represent additional indications for osteoporosis screening in men over 50 years old.

Hypogonadism after traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the most common cause of death and disability in young adults. Post-TBI neuroendocrine disorders have been increasingly acknowledged in recent years due to their potential contribution to morbidity and, probably, to mortality after trauma. Marked alterations of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis during the post-TBI acute and chronic phases have been reported. Prospective and longitudinal studies have shown that some abnormalities are transitory. On the other hand, there is a high frequency (15% to 68%) of pituitary hormone deficiency among TBI survivors in a long term setting. Post-TBI hypogonadism is a common finding after cranial trauma, and it is predicted to develop in 16% of the survivors in the long term. Post-TBI hypogonadism has been associated with adverse results in the acute and chronic phases after injury. These data reinforce the need for identification of hormonal deficiencies and their proper treatment, in order to optimize patient recovery, improve their life quality, and avoid the negative consequences of non-treated hypogonadism in the long term.