[Sex hormones and male osteoporosis. A physiologic prospective for prevention and therapy].

BACKGROUND

Male osteoporosis is often an underestimate and non-acknowledged pathology because it is less frequent then post-menopausal women osteoporosis. The causes of osteoporosis in males were reviewed, considering the importance of the assessment of sexual hormones, even without symptoms of hypogonadism.

METHODS

Sixty-two patients ranging in age from 45 to 75 years, males, were studied. None of them had assumed steroids nor other drugs causing osteoporosis. These patients have been subjected to bone mineral analysis (BMA) together with the following sexual hormones: LH, FSH, total testosterone, free testosterone, SHBG, estrone, estradiol. Two methods of BMA have been employed (Norland 2780 and UBA 575 Walker and Sonix).

RESULTS

When osteoporosis or osteopenia were present, always there were modifications of sex hormones values. Statistic evaluation (linear regression, Pearson coefficient, Multiple regression, Backward Stepwise Multiple Regression), showed that there was a significant association between total testosterone and osteoporosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Total testosterone resulted the most predictive sex hormone for the loss of bone mass; therefore, it is important to evaluate sex hormones in males with osteoporosis, for a correct and "physiological" therapy.