title: Aging male's symptoms in a Southern Brazil population: lifestyle effects after the age of 40.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The interest of epidemiological research about male's aging increased in recent years along with the need to evaluate health-related quality of life. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study to identify the prevalence of aging male's symptoms (AMS) and factors associated to this condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 421 men aged 40 years or older, living in the urban area of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. The questionnaire covered sociodemographic, behavioral, and health variables, and to verify the aging male's symptoms, the AMS Scale was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Moderate/severe male's symptoms was considered positive (AMS scores equal or above 37 points) in 20% of men (95% CI 16.1; 24.3). After controlling for confounders, the AMS was significantly associated with aging, self-perceived health status and smoking. The symptoms were more severe among physically inactive men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings support the necessity to maintain healthy behaviors like not smoking and regular physical activity since such changeable behaviors could reduce the AMS acceleration and increase life quality and expectancy.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leandro Quadro
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Corrêa
authors.forename: Airton José
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Rombaldi
authors.forename: Marcelo Cozzensa
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Da Silva
authors.forename: Marlos Rodrigues
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Domingues
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D011788:Quality of Life; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors