Relationship Between Serum Testosterone and Severity of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Among Malaysian Men

Abstract

Background Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are commonly experienced among ageing males. The increasing prevalence of late-onset hypogonadism suggests a possible relationship between serum testosterone and severity of LUTS. This study examines the association between serum testosterone and severity of lower urinary tract symptoms among Malaysian men, as reflected by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Method A total of 163 men with LUTS were enrolled in a cross-sectional study in Hospital Canselor Tuanku Mukhriz, Malaysia. Full examination, IPSS, and serum total testosterone (TT) levels were evaluated. Categorical and continuous correlations were analyzed using chi-square test and age-adjusted Pearson’s partial correlation, respectively. Result Mean age was 66.25 (SD = 7.05), with mean serum TT of 16.74 nmol/L (SD = 6.32). Twenty eight percent (n = 46) had low testosterone levels. Severity of LUTS (mild, moderate, severe) was not found to be dependent on TT status (normal, low, severely low), (χ2 [4, N = 163] = 4.24, P = 0.37). Weak negative correlations between total IPSS and IPSS storage sub-score with serum TT levels were exhibited respectively (r = −0.17, P < 0.05; r = −0.17, P < 0.05). Conclusion Among elderly Malaysian men, severity of LUTS and TT status were not found to be associated, despite a weak negative correlation between IPSS and serum testosterone levels. Nonetheless, with a high prevalence of hypogonadal ageing men, further research regarding serum testosterone measurement among this population may be valuable as part of a multimodal approach to treatment.