Low testosterone is associated with disability in men with multiple sclerosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Gonadal steroids may modulate disease course in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective

To assess the prevalence and clinical associations of hypogonadism in men with MS.

Methods

Male patients, aged 18-65 years, with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) or clinically-isolated syndrome (CIS) and their first symptom < 10 years prior were selected from a longitudinal clinical study. We measured their hormones in stored morning blood samples, and collected their Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores every 6 months and their Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) results annually.

Results

Our analysis included 96 men with a mean age of 40 years, EDSS of 1.1 and disease duration of 4.6 years. Of these men, 39% were hypogonadal (total testosterone < 288 ng/dL); n

SUBMITTER: Bove R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4188801 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature