Hypogonadism syndrome in men with inflammatory joint diseases: A review

Abstract

Most rheumatic diseases are characterized by sexual dimorphism both in prevalence and in the characteristics of the clinical course. Increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that accompanies inflammatory joint diseases may be accompanied by a decrease in the level of male sex hormones, and vice versa, the presence of hypogonadism in men increases the risk of developing certain rheumatic diseases. The review presents data on the relationship between testosterone deficiency and major inflammatory joint diseases, as well as the effect of testosterone replacement therapy on their manifestations.

Keywords

• testosterone
• androgens
• hypogonadism
• rheumatoid arthritis
• gout
• spondyloarthritis