ISSN:
1434-9949
Keywords:
Rheumatoid Arthritis
;
Ankylosing Spondylitis
;
Testosterone
;
HLA
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary A crosssectional study of testosterone levels in 276 males was undertaken. Of these 87 were RA patients, 48 males with AS and 141 were healthy controls. Free and serum testosterone levels were significantly lower in the RA males than in either the AS group or the healthy controls (p 〈 0.001). This difference was unaffected by age. No differences were seen in testosterone levels between DR1 or DR4 RA patients compared to those without these antigens. No evidence of hyperandrogenicity was seen in the AS group. The finding that males with RA have lower androgen levels than both normal controls and a disease group with inflammatory spondarthritis supports the hypothesis that male sex hormones may be a protective factor against the development of RA.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02031066
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