Deficient testosterone levels in men above 45 years with major depressive disorder - an age-matched case control study

Abstract

Background. Symptoms of partial androgen deficiency in ageing men (PADAM) overlap considerably with those of major depressive disorder. The relationship between these conditions is complicated by the usual age-related decline in serum testosterone concentrations. Objectives. To test the hypothesis that depressed men above 45 years of age have lower serum testosterone concentrations than age-matched controls. Method. Serum testosterone fractions of 20 men above the age of 45 years suffering from a major depressive disorder were compared with those of 20 healthy men. An age-matched controlled design was used to account for the usual age-related decline in serum testosterone concentrations. Results. Testosterone concentrations of men suffering from a major depressive disorder were statistically significantly lower than those of an age-matched control group without depression. Conclusion. The role of testosterone deficiency in depressed men needs to be examined further in order for appropriate treatment options to be developed.