Low-T and IBD: A Relationship?

[CoastWatcher]

There have been many discussions about testosterone role in inflammation and autoimmunity. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic autoimmune disease in younger age groups, typically seen - and studied more often in women than in men. This study was to evaluate testosterone concentration and it’s influence on disease acitivity and the quality of life.

• Total testosterone levels were measured in males with IBD (Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative colitis).
• Age, BMI, main characteristics of IBD were also recorded as well as the disease activity (Harvey-Bradshaw Index for CD and Mayo score for UC) and the quality of life (SIBDQ).
• 113 patients with IBD (CD 66, UC 47) with median age of 34 (CD) and 41 (UC) years.
• Disease was active in 10.6% of CD and 14.9% UC patients.
• Median duration of disease was 10.05 and 8.9 years respectively.
• The median testosterone concentration was 11 nmol/l for both groups. The level was less than 10 nmol/l in 34% and lower than 6 nmol/l in 4% of patients.

A slight negative correlation of testosterone with disease activity in UC (R=0.28, P=0.06) and slight negative correlation to CRP in all IBD patients (R=0.2, P=0.03). There was also negative correlation between IBD duration and testosterone (R=0.18, P=0.058). The quality of life did not correlate with TST levels.

Testosterone deficiency in quite common among male IBD patients. It seems to be connected to the disease activity, inflammation and the duration of disease. Very low concentration of testosterone was rarely found. The quality of life seemed not to be affected while most cases were in the clinical remission.

"Is testosterone deficiency a real problem of male IBD patients?" Endocrine Abstracts (2016) 41 EP721, http://www.endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/0041/ea0041ep721.htm