Analysis of the statues of patients visiting our specialized clinic for hypogonadal men: 5-year experience
Kawa, G.; Taniguchi, H.; Kinoshita, H.; Matsuda, T.
Hinyokika Kiyo. Acta Urologica Japonica 55(2): 87-92
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 0018-1994 PMID: 19301613 Document Number: 635326
A specialized clinic for middle-aged and elderly hypogonadal men was established in our institution five years ago. A retrospective study of the 511 patients who attended our clinic during this period was conducted and the issues involved in treating these patients were identified. The patients' age distribution, symptoms, serum testosterone values, treatment, and course were examined. The patients' mean age was 54.0 years (range, 35 to 74 years); approximately half of the patients were in their fifties. Most patients complained of decline in libido, general fatigue, and erectile dysfunction. The patients' mean serum free testosterone was 9.28 pg/ml; 40.3% of patients had a serum free testosterone value of less than 8.5 pg/ml, which is the threshold value for the initiation of androgen replacement therapy (ART) in Japan. ART was given to 220 (43.1%) patients, and it was considered effective in 100. It appears that male climacteric disorder and late-onset hypogonadism have become commonly recognized in Japan. There will be an increasing need for specialized clinics for such men in the future.