Abstract
Introduction HIV infection has become a chronic, well-treatable disease and the focus of caretakers
has shifted to diagnosis and treatment of comorbidities. Hypogonadism in elderly men
with HIV might be of particular relevance, however, little is known about its epidemiology
in contrast to non-infected peers and men with other chronic medical conditions, such
as type 2 diabetes. This study aimed at comparing the prevalence of testosterone deficiency
and functional hypogonadism in men ≥ 50 years in these three groups.
Patients and Methods Multi-center, cross-sectional substudy of the German-wide 50/2010 study, including
men aged 50 years or older with HIV-infection, type 2 diabetes, and controls.
Results Altogether, 322 men were included (mean age: 62 years (SD±7.9)). The prevalence of
testosterone deficiency in men living with HIV, type 2 diabetes, and controls was
34.5, 44.9, and 35.0%, respectively; the prevalence of functional hypogonadism was
7.7, 14.3 and 3.5%, respectively. Single-factor ANOVA demonstrated significant differences
between the groups for total testosterone (p<0.001), SHBG (p<0.001), as well as for free testosterone concentrations (p=0.006). Comorbidities were,
however, most important single factor in multi-factor analysis.
Discussion Despite a comparable prevalence of testosterone deficiency, functional hypogonadism
was more frequent in men living with HIV when compared to non-infected controls. This
was the result of a higher burden of symptoms that might, however, also be secondary
to other conditions. Number of comorbidities was a more important factor than belonging
to one of the groups.
Key words
type 2 diabetes - SHBG - free testosterone - aging males' symptoms
