Parkinson's disease is a risk factor for late onset hypogonadism: a cross-sectional, controlled study

Objective: There might be a link between Parkinson's disease (PD) and late onset hypogonadism (LOH) as both present with are similar non-motor symptoms. Therefore, our aim was to investigate prevalence and associates of LOH in PD patients. Material and methods: This study enrolled 45 males with PD patients and 45 controls. A detailed medical and sexual history was obtained, and a physical ex(sic)amination was performed in all subjects. Blood samples were obtained to measure the hormonal and biochemical status. Questionnaires, including AMS-SF, IIEF, BDI, UPDRS and FSS, were used for symptoms of LOH and PD. All data sets were statistically compared using the T, chi-square, Fisher exact and Mann-Whitney U tests where appropriate and a p value of <0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Mean age in both groups was comparable (p=0.07). Mean total and subgroup scores of AMS-SF in PD patients were significantly higher than controls (p<0.0001). Similarly, mean total, free and bioactive testosterone values in PD patients were significantly lower than controls (p<0.05). Percentage of patients with biochemical hypogonadism was 36% in PD patients and 10% in controls (p=0.012). When mean AMS-SF scores were compared between the groups, 86% of PD patients and 30% of controls exhibited lower scores than the cut-off level of 26 (p<0.0001). Mean IIEF and subgroup scores for patients with PD were found to be significantly lower than controls (p<0.001). Conclusion: This cross-sectional, controlled study demonstrated the relationship between PD and LOH. Additionally, we showed an increased rate of ED in PD patients.