Korean J Fam Pract.  2024 Mar;14(1):11-18. 10.21215/kjfp.2024.14.1.11.

Association between Smoking and Symptoms of Late-Onset Hypogonadism in Korean Men

• Jang SS
• Cho YJ
• Moon H
• Kim HJ
• Lee GH
• Kim YA

• KMID: 2554228
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21215/kjfp.2024.14.1.11

Abstract

Background
Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is associated with reduced testosterone levels and an increase in various physical, mental, and emotional changes in men with age. Several lifestyle factors, including smoking, are reported to be related to LOH; however, very few studies have sufficiently investigated the relationships between smoking and the symptoms of LOH. This study aimed to use the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males (ADAM) questionnaire to assess the associations between smoking and LOH symptoms in Korean men.
Methods
Men who underwent medical check-ups and transrectal ultrasonography at a university hospital between January 1, 2018 and March 31, 2021 (n=793) were included in this study. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the risk of LOH symptoms among non-smokers, exsmokers, and current smokers, with adjustments for age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, and exercise and education levels.
Results
There were significant correlations between LOH symptoms, as assessed using the ADAM questionnaire, and smoking status. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors indicated that the risk of LOH symptoms was higher in the ex-smokers (odds ratio, 2.446; 95% confidential interval, 1.511–3.962) and current smokers (odds ratio, 6.664; 95% confidential interval, 3.485–12.74) groups.
Conclusion
These results indicate a positive correlation between smoking and LOH symptoms in Korean men. Nevertheless, large-scale studies are required to further validate these findings.

Keyword

Smoking; Andropause; ADAM Questionnaire; Testosterone