Gynecomastia in German soldiers: etiology and pathology.
BACKGROUND
We found a high incidence of patients with gynecomastia in the German Ministry of Defense Guard Battalion in Berlin. For this reason, we conducted the present study to investigate etiological and pathological aspects of this condition.


METHODS
Within six years, a total of 211 patients underwent surgery for gynecomastia. We compared this group of patients with a control group of healthy males without signs or symptoms of gynecomastia. The two groups were matched for median age.


RESULTS
The groups showed significant differences (p<0.05) in serum testosterone, free triiodothyronine (fT3), LH (luteinizing hormone) and prolactin levels and in body mass index (BMI). In addition, there was a highly significant correlation between left-sided gynecomastia and membership in the Guard Battalion.


CONCLUSIONS
We found differences in hormone blood levels between gynecomastia patients and a control group. Moreover, gynecomastia was predominantly seen on the left side in guard soldiers. A possible explanation is the mechanical impact of the carbine against the left side of the body during rifle drills.
Department of Surgery, German Armed Forces Hospital of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Hans-Peter
HP
Kuhne
Department of Surgery, German Armed Forces Hospital of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Sandy
S
Egler
Department of Surgery, German Armed Forces Hospital of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Stefan
S
Lenz
Department of Surgery, German Armed Forces Hospital of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
André
A
Lieber
Department of Surgery, German Armed Forces Hospital of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Dietrich
D
Doll
Department of Surgery, German Armed Forces Hospital of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Björn Dirk
BD
Krapohl
gynecomastia; male breast; soldiers’ disease