title: Reduced testosterone levels in human immunodeficiency virus-infected women with weight loss and low weight.
abstract: Risk factors for hypoandrogenemia among low-weight, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients are not known. Testosterone levels of 69 HIV-infected women with low weight and weight loss were compared with levels for 25 healthy, age- and body mass index-matched control subjects. HIV-infected subjects were of low weight, with a mean (+/- standard deviation) weight loss of -17.6% +/- 9.7% from preillness maximum, and 42% of HIV-infected subjects had a body mass index of <20 kg/m(2). Forty-nine percent of the HIV-infected population versus 8% of the control population exhibited low free testosterone levels (P<.001). Among HIV-infected women, when we controlled for chronic hepatitis status, age, and time of blood sampling, weight loss of >10% of maximum weight was a significant predictor of low free testosterone levels. Free testosterone levels did not differ by drug class or antiretroviral regimen. In conclusion, decreased androgen levels are common among HIV-infected women reporting significant weight loss, independent of exposure to antiretroviral medications.
authors.affiliation: Neuroendocrine Unit and Program in Nutritional Metabolism, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Jeannie S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Stephanie J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Wilkie
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dolan
authors.forename: James H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Gallafent
authors.forename: Negar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aliabadi
authors.forename: Meghan P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grinspoon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D015431:Weight Loss; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone