title: A view of geriatrics through hormones. What is the relation between andropause and well-known geriatric syndromes?
abstract: Age related male hypogonadism, or "andropause", is increasingly recognized as of frequent occurrence in older patients. Diagnosis requires both the presence of clinical symptoms and low testosterone levels. However, diagnosing andropause in this age group may be challenging since symptoms are frequently non specific and testosterone levels are influenced by a multitude of parameters such as lifestyle factors and chronic diseases. In this article we discuss the pathophysiology, definition and diagnostic difficulties of andropause in geriatric patients. Moreover, we review the relation between testosterone levels and frequent geriatric syndromes such as falls, osteoporosis, cognitive and mood disorders, anemia and cardiovascular disease. Finally, we examine the potential benefits and risks of testosterone replacement therapy in this age group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: nikolassamaras@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Samaras
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Specialties, Clinical Nutrition, Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland. Electronic address: Dimitrios.Samaras@hcuge.ch.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Samaras
authors.affiliation: Nescens Centre of Preventive Medicine, Clinic of Genolier, Genolier, Switzerland; Translational Medicine Research Group, Cranfield Health, Cranfield University, Cranfield, United Kingdom. Electronic address: polang@nescens.com.
authors.forename: Pierre-Olivier
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland. Electronic address: alexandre.forster@hcuge.ch.
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Forster
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Specialties, Clinical Nutrition, Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland. Electronic address: Claude.Pichard@hcuge.ch.
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pichard
authors.affiliation: Clinique de Jolimont, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: Emilia.Frangos@hcuge.ch.
authors.forename: Emilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Frangos
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Specialties, Endocrinology-Diabetology, Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland. Electronic address: Patrick.Meyer@hcuge.ch.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D047649:Andropause / Q000502:physiology*; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000209:etiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone