The frequency and peculiarities of hypogonadism in men with obesity

BACKGROUND: Male hypogonadism is associated with obesity, therefore, it is of interest to study its frequency. The clinical symptoms of hypogonadism are not specific, and laboratory diagnostics is the basis for its detection. The optimal method for this diagnostics is isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, which was used in our study. AIM: To assess of the incidence and features of hypogonadism in men with obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A full-design, cross-sectional, screening, single-center, non-interventional study of hypogonadal men with obesity, who were treated in Endocrinology Research Centre, Moscow. The study was conducted from January 2023 to May 2024. Medical history assessment, physical examination with determination of body mass index (BMI), measurement estimation of total testosterone by isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, lipid profiles and uric acid were performed. The groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test for quantitative indicators and χ² with Yates’ correction for qualitative ones. Differences were considered statistically significant with p <0,05. RESULTS: Hypogonadism was detected in 230 (76,7 (95% CI 71,9–81,5)%) men with obesity. The prevalence of male hypogonadism in overweight was 63,7 (95% CI 53,2–74,3)% of cases, in 1 st degree obesity — 74,8 (95% CI 66,8–82,7)%, in 2 nd degree obesity — 88,2 (95% CI 76,1–95,6)% and in 3 rd degree obesity — 88,9 (95% CI 77,4–95,8)%. Patients with hypogonadism had statistically significantly higher levels of cholesterol, uric acid and triglycerides compared to eugonadal men. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of male hypogonadism in obesity was 76,7 (95% CI 71,9–81,5)%. It was associated with dyslipidemia and hyperuricemia.