Risk of MS increased by low testicular function

[MSUK]

Testicular hypofunction and multiple sclerosis risk: A record-linkage study.

Pakpoor J, Goldacre R, Schmierer K, Giovannoni G, Goldacre MJ.

Abstract

The influence of gonadal hormones on multiple sclerosis is not well characterised and has thus far been investigated primarily in animal models or as a proposed therapeutic approach.

We investigated a potential association between testicular hypofunction, as a proxy for low testosterone levels, and multiple sclerosis risk through analysis of linked English national Hospital Episode Statistics from 1999 to 2011.
We report a strong positive association between testicular hypofunction and subsequent multiple sclerosis, rate ratio 4.62 (95% confidence interval 2.3-8.24, p<0.0001).

Future work should aim more directly to elucidate the relationship between testosterone levels and MS in both males and females.

Source: ANN NEUROL 2014. © 2014 American Neurological Association & Pubmed 25131454 (21/08/14) http://www.ms-uk.org/hormones