Low Testosterone Levels Associated With Depression In Older Men

Women are added doable to be depressed than men until generation 65, when masculinity differences nearly disappear. Distinct studies chalk up suggested that femininity hormones might be duty-bound for this phenomenon. Osvaldo P. Almeida, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.A.N.Z.C.P., University of Western Australia, Perth, and colleagues studied 3,987 men lifetime 71 to 89 years.

Between 2001 and 2004, the men completed a questionaire reporting cue approximately demographics and health history. They underwent testing for depression and cognitive (thinking, learning and memory) difficulties, and counsel about physical health conditions was obtained from a short survey and an Australian health database.

The researchers collected blood samples from the participants and recorded levels of complete testosterone and chargeless testosterone, which is not bound to proteins. A total of 203 of the participants (5.1 percent) met criteria for depression; these men had significantly lower total and unpaid testosterone levels then men who were not depressed.

After controlling for other factors--such as education level, thing bulk index and cognitive scores--men in the lowest quintile (20 percent) of unpaid testosterone concentration had three times the odds of having depression compared to men in the highest quintile. The mechanism by which low hormone levels might impinge depression risk has not been identified, however might include changes in the levels of neurotransmitters or hormones in the brain, the authors note.

A randomized controlled research is required to cinch if reducing prolonged exposure to low free lunch testosterone is associated with a lowering in the prevalence of depression in antique men," the authors write.

Whether so, older men with depression may cream from systematic screening of clear testosterone concentration, and testosterone supplementation may contribute to the efficacious treatment of hypogonadal with low hormone levels older men with depression." Gazette reference: Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008;65 3 :283-289. This discover was supported by project grants from the Civic Health and Medical Evaluation Council of Australia.

Biochemical analyzes were funded by a Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation Clinical Investigator Award. Adapted from materials if by JAMA and Archives Journals.

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