Hormonal determinants of the severity of andropausal and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and elderly men with prediabetes

Gaps in the management of diabetes in Asia: A need for improved awareness and strategies in men's sexual health

Sexual dysfunction, which is defined as 'difficulty during any stage of the sexual encounter that prevents or impairs the individual or couple from enjoying sexual activity', is globally prevalent in males with prediabetes and diabetes. It is an early harbinger of cardiovascular diseases and has a profound impact on one's physical, mental, and social health. Among patients with either prediabetes or diabetes, the most common male sexual dysfunctions are hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, and premature ejaculation. In Asia, although sexual health is an important factor of men's health, it is rarely discussed freely in real-life practice. Addressing sexual health in Asian males has always been challenging with multiple barriers at the levels of patients and health care providers. Therefore, the assessment and management of sexual dysfunction in routine clinical practice should involve a holistic approach with effective patient-provider communication. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and the management of hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, and premature ejaculation among males with either prediabetes or diabetes (type 1 and type 2), as well as the evidence gaps across Asia.

Effect of education about andropause health on level of the knowledge and attitude of men referring to the education and training retirement center of Shiraz

Introduction and objective: With the world's older population continuing to grow, andropause (male menopause or late-onset hypogonadism) is considered as one of the most important issues of this era. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of andropause health education on the level of knowledge and attitude of retired men.Methods: This controlled trial was conducted on 80 retired men (40 in intervention group, 40 in control group), who had been employed by the Department of Education, Shiraz, Iran. Data collection tool was a 38-item questionnaire, designed by the researcher, on participants' knowledge and attitude about andropause. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 22 and statistical tests such as independent and paired t tests were used.Findings: There was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups before the intervention. There was a significant difference in knowledge and attitude scores in each group immediately and 1 month after the intervention. The mean score of knowledge in the intervention group increased from 2.92 ± 1.68 before to 16.22 ± 1.34 after the intervention, and the attitude score increased from 14.9 ± 1.08 to 28.52 ± 1.44. Comparison of the two groups and repeated score analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups over the time (p < .001).Conclusion: Educational intervention improved the knowledge and attitude of retired men toward andropause, which can have a positive impact on the timely recognition and proper treatment of the complications of andropause.

Comparison of "burden of disease" in elderly and non-elderly patients with pre-diabetes: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE:

There are a lot of studies comparing elderly and adult patients with diabetes but not pre-diabetes systematically. We aimed to compare the discrepancies of clinical status and burden of disease in elderly (≥60 years old) versus non-elderly (18–59 years old) adult pre-diabetics.

METHODS:

A total of 126 pre-diabetic patients were included in the study and were compared as two groups; the elderly (n=32) and non-elderly (n=94). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, body mass index (BMI), the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), health-related quality of life using the short form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire, and disability using the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) were evaluated.

RESULTS:

Gender, BMI, the presence of obesity, the ratio of HOMA-IR, FPG, and plasma glucose in the 2^nd h oral glucose tolerance test were similar in non-elderly patients with pre-diabetes compared to the elderly ones. However, HbA1c levels were higher in elderly subjects in our study. According to the SF-36 questionnaire and HAQ score, there were no significant differences between groups. The median total HAQ scores were 0.125 (non-elderly) and 0.250 (elderly) for groups and there was no significant difference (p=0.099).

CONCLUSION:

In the similar gender and BMI groups, pre-diabetes in the elderly gives different outcomes according to HbA1c. Since SF-36 questionnaire and HAQ scores were not statistically different in both pre-diabetic groups, the burden of disease is thought to be basically due to the presence of the disease rather than aging.

Sexual Dysfunction in Men with Prediabetes

INTRODUCTION

Previous studies have shown a strong association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and the frequency and severity of some aspects of male sexual dysfunction (SD). The same relationship with prediabetes (preDM) has been less well investigated.

AIM

To systematically review the current literature on the association between preDM and SD, focusing on erectile dysfunction (ED), sex steroid hormone alterations, and premature ejaculation (PE).

METHODS

The present review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA declaration standards for systematic reviews. A systematic search for the terms "male sexual dysfunction," "prediabetes," "IFG or IGT," "glycemia," "ED," "ejaculation," and "hypoactive sexual desire disorder" was carried out in the PubMed and Embase databases.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Prevalence of SD in men with preDM and severity of ED, PE, and hormone alterations in men with preDM compared with controls.

RESULTS

12 studies reporting data on the association between SD and preDM were found in the literature. According to these studies, ED is more prevalent in men with preDM compared with controls, the severity of ED increases progressively as a function of impaired glucose metabolism, testosterone values and preDM are strongly correlated, men with preDM are at increased risk of testosterone deficiency and hypogonadism, men with hypogonadism have a higher prevalence of preDM, and the association between PE and preDM is controversial.

CONCLUSION

PreDM is a common and underdiagnosed clinical condition that is strongly associated with male SD. A detailed glucose metabolism investigation should be performed in every patient with SD to screen for glucose abnormalities and eventually to implement prevention program to decrease their chances of developing life-changing chronic illnesses. Boeri L, Capogrosso P, Ventimiglia E, et al. Sexual Dysfunction in Men with Prediabetes. Sex Med Rev 2019;8:622-634.

Impact of prediabetes on poststroke depression in Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVE

It is unknown whether prediabetes is a predictor of poststroke depression (PSD). We aimed to explore the relationship between prediabetes and PSD in Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke.

METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study, and a total of 358 patients with acute ischemic stroke were recruited and enrolled. Patients were divided into 3 groups: normal glucose group (NGT, n = 96), prediabetes group (preDM, n = 134, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and/or HbA1c (A1c) 5.7%-6.4%), and the diabetes mellitus group (DM, n = 128). At 1 month after stroke, patients with a Hamilton Depression Scale score of ≥8 were diagnosed as PSD.

RESULTS

In post hoc comparisons, the risk of PSD in patients with diabetes and prediabetes was higher than patients with NGT (37.5% vs 31.3% vs 14.6%, P = .001). Compared with NGT, the incidence rate of PSD in patients with prediabetes with HbA1c 5.7% to 6.4% and patients with prediabetes with IFG/IGT + HbA1c 5.7% to 6.4% was higher (35.3% vs 14.6%, 38.0% vs 14.6%; P = .006; P = .003, respectively). In logistic regression, prediabetes with HbA1c 5.7% to 6.4% and prediabetes with IFG/IGT + HbA1c 5.7% to 6.4% were a significant independent predictor of PSD after adjusting for potential confounding factors, with odd ratios of 1.731 and 1.978, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that prediabetes was associated with PSD and may predict its development at 1 month poststroke. In prediabetes subgroups, patients with HbA1c 5.7% to 6.4% were more likely to develop PSD compared to NGT and IFG/IGT groups.

Gender differences in climacteric symptoms and associated factors in Korean men and women

Both men and women may experience multifaceted symptoms that are part of natural aging throughout the climacteric period. This study compared the prevalence and severity of climacteric symptoms between genders and identified the underlying clusters of climacteric symptoms and associated factors in midlife men and women. A cross-sectional study was done with 254 middle-aged Korean men (n = 129, M = 50.4) and women (n = 125, M = 49.5). Data were collected by self-administered surveys and analyzed using t-tests, chi-square tests, exploratory factor analysis, and regression analysis. Significant gender differences in overall climacteric symptoms were not detected except for muscle weakness, weight gain, and hot flashes. Climacteric symptoms were clustered as physical, vasomotor-genital, psychological, and metabolic dimensions, with the physical dimension being the most explanatory cluster. A significant gender effect was found only in the metabolic dimension after adjusting for the relevant covariates, and regular eating was significantly associated with all symptom clusters. This study offers evidence that most climacteric symptoms are shared by both men and women and emphasizes the importance of healthier lifestyles in the climacteric transition period. The findings highlight the critical need for integrated assessments of the multifactorial symptoms and of modifying poor lifestyles in both genders throughout the climacteric transition period.

An association between bone mineral density and anabolic hormones in middle-aged and elderly men with prediabetes

INTRODUCTION

Prediabetes (PD) leads to reduced testosterone (T) in males, but the association between the anabolic hormones and bone mineral density (BMD) remains unknown.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated an association between the anabolic hormones and BMD in middle-aged and elderly men with PD.

METHODS

We investigated 84 prediabetic and 56 control men. Total T (TT), calculated free T (cFT), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were measured, and BMD was assessed using DXA methods.

RESULTS

Patients with PD had lower TT (p < .001), cFT (p < .005), and DHEAS (p < .02) than control group. BMD values of the lower lumbar spine (p < .02) and total body (p < .05) in prediabetic men were lower than in control group. Lumbar spine BMD correlated with TT (r = 0.376), cFT (r = 0.235), and HbA1c (r = -0.368); femoral neck BMD correlated with TT (r = 0.412) and cFT (r = 0.421). The high lumbar spine and femur neck BMD was associated with high TT, cFT, and low HbA1c, while the high total body BMD with high TT, cFT, and low HbA1c.

CONCLUSION

The anabolic hormones significantly affect BMD in male with PD, and screening for low BMD is necessary in these patients.

The Relationships between Anabolic Hormones and Body Composition in Middle-Aged and Elderly Men with Prediabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study

The influence of anabolic hormones and body composition in men with prediabetes (PD) is unknown. In a cross-sectional study we investigated the relationships between total testosterone (TT), calculated free testosterone (cFT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and body composition assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) method in 84 patients with PD (40-80 years) and 56 men in control group. Patients with PD had lower TT, cFT, and DHEAS levels but similar IGF-1 levels in both groups. Patients with PD presented the higher total and abdominal fat as well as the lower total and abdominal lean than control (p < 0.02, p < 0.01, p < 0.05, and p < 0.02, resp.). We observed negative relationship between TT and total fat (p = 0.014) and positive with abdominal lean mass (p = 0.034), while cFT was negatively associated with abdominal (p = 0.02), trunk (p = 0.024), and leg fat (p = 0.037) and positively associated with total (p = 0.022) and trunk lean (p = 0.024). DHEAS were negatively associated with total fat (p = 0.045), and IGF-1 were positively associated with abdominal (p = 0.003) and leg lean (p = 0.015). In conclusion, the lowered anabolic hormones are involved in body composition rearrangement in men with PD. Further studies are needed to establish whether the androgen replacement therapy would be beneficial in men with PD.