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Male hypogonadism. Part I: Epidemiology of hypogonadism

Abstract

Male hypogonadism is a frequent and potentially undertreated condition. A number of longitudinal epidemiologic studies, including the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, the New Mexico Aging Process Study, and the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, have demonstrated age-related increases in the likelihood of developing hypogonadism. In addition to advancing age, increasing body mass index and/or type II diabetes mellitus may be associated with lower circulating androgen levels. Owing to the demographic trends toward increasing population age and life expectancy, together with the emerging pandemic of diabetes and recent trend toward an increasing prevalence of obesity in the United States, clinicians are likely to encounter increasing cases of hypogonadism in the near future.

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Acknowledgements

Financial disclosure: Series supported under an educational grant from Auxilium Pharmaceuticals. Dr Seftel has consulting relationships with Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Bayer, Columbia Laboratories, Lilly ICOS LLC, Pfizer Inc., QLT Inc., and Sanofi-Synthelabo Inc., but no direct financial interest (eg stock ownership) in these companies.

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Correspondence to A D Seftel.

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Seftel, A. Male hypogonadism. Part I: Epidemiology of hypogonadism. Int J Impot Res 18, 115–120 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901397

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