Faculty Collaboration Database

Hypogonadism in men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: prevalence and quality of life. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2005 Apr 01;171(7):728-33

Date

01/20/2005

Pubmed ID

15657463

DOI

10.1164/rccm.200501-037OC

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-16344387528 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   61 Citations

Abstract

We recently reported that hypogonadism does not affect respiratory muscle performance and exercise capacity in men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In COPD, however, the relationship between exercise capacity and quality of life is controversial, making it unreliable to extrapolate about quality of life from exercise data. Accordingly, we determined prevalence and impact of hypogonadism on health-related quality of life in men with COPD. We enrolled 101 stable outpatient men (FEV1 1.34 +/- 0.04 L) older than 54 years; 38 patients were hypogonadal-a prevalence similar to that reported in the general population. The degree of airflow limitation did not predict levels of free testosterone. Quality of life, as quantified by a disease-specific instrument (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire) and a general-health instrument (Veterans Short Form-36) were equivalent in the hypogonadal and eugonadal groups. Both groups demonstrated large decrements in perceived physical health and smaller decrements in perceived emotional and mental health. No relationship was found between free testosterone level and physical activity, respiratory symptoms, or quality of life. In conclusion, hypogonadism, although common among men older than 54 years with COPD, does not worsen the severity of respiratory symptoms or quality of life.

Author List

Laghi F, Antonescu-Turcu A, Collins E, Segal J, Tobin DE, Jubran A, Tobin MJ

Author

Andreea Antonescu-Turcu MD Associate Dean, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Age Factors
Aged
Cohort Studies
Comorbidity
Exercise Tolerance
Humans
Hypogonadism
Male
Prognosis
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
Quality of Life
Respiratory Function Tests
Severity of Illness Index
Sickness Impact Profile
Surveys and Questionnaires