Study of the level of male sex hormones in elderly patients suffering from depression

Introduction : Testosterone is hormone that has unique effect on man ’ s total body. Manifestations of low testosterone level in adult may include: low sex drive, emotional, psychological and behavioral changes. There is strong relation between depression and sexual dysfunction. Objective: the aim was to evaluate the level of male sex hormones in elderly men suffering from depression. Methods: This study included 60 subjects aged ≥ 65 years who were classified into two groups. Group I included 30 elderly depressed males, group II included 30 elderly non-depressed males. All participants were subjected to detailed history taking, routine laboratory investigations, sex hormonal assessment [total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index(FAI)=total testosterone/SHBG*100] and depression scoring using Beck Depression Inventory(BDI). Results: There was no significant differences regarding total testosterone levels however, the level of SHBG was significantly lower in group I and free androgen index (FAI)was significantly higher in group I, there were no significant differences regarding the marital status or smoking. There were no significant correlations between the studied groups regarding age with total testosterone, SHBG or free androgen index. There were non-significant negative correlations between BDI and total testosterone or SHBG and non-significant positive correlation between BDI and FAI in group l, but in group ll there were non-significant positive correlations between BDI and total testosterone or FAI and non-significant negative correlations between BDI and SHBG in group ll. Conclusion: The level of total testosterone revealed no significant change but SHBG was lower and FAI was higher in depressed elderly males.