[Symptomatic evaluation of late onset hypogonadism in healthy Chinese men].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation between the symptoms and serum levels of androgen in healthy Chinese men aged over 40 years, and to work out a new symptomatic inventory for screening late onset hypogonadism (LOH) in Chinese men.


METHODS
An 18-item questionnaire was designed and 637 respondents were collected from Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an and Chongqing. Serum total testosterone, calculated free testosterone, testosterone secretion index and free testosterone index were measured. An analysis of the correlation between symptoms and androgens was performed.


RESULTS
The twelve-item symptoms were significantly correlated to 2 or more of the 4 androgens mentioned above, marking up a new symptomatic inventory for screening LOH, with a 70% sensitivity and 46% specificity.


CONCLUSIONS
The new symptomatic inventory is acceptable for the screening purpose. The relatively low specificity may be related to the individual response to the decline of serum androgens and age-related changes of other hormones, such as GH-IGF-1 axis, DHEA, thyroid hormones, melatonin and leptin.
Li
Jiang-yuan
JY
Department of Endocrinology, PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China. j-y.li@263.net
Li
Xiao-ying
XY
Li
Ming
M
Zhang
Gao-kui
GK
Ma
Fang-ling
FL
Liu
Zhi-min
ZM
Zhang
Nan-yan
NY
Meng
Ping
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002681:China; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol