ArticleInfection2021
The importance of SHBG and calculated free testosterone for the diagnosis of symptomatic hypogonadism in HIV-infected men: a single-centre real-life experience.
Article in Infection, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers.
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Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed, 25 citations in OpenAlex.
- Body composition in male hypogonadism: practical considerations to the use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.Reviews in endocrine & metabolic disorders · 2026Review
- Gonadal and sexual function in men living with HIV: insights from a single-centre study.Journal of endocrinological investigation · 2025Article
- New Insights in the Diagnostic Potential of Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG)-Clinical Approach.Biomedicines · 2025Review
- Effect of Oral Bisphosphonates on Vertebral Fractures in Males Living with HIV: A Seven Year Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2024Article
- Viruses, bacteria and parasites: infection of the male genital tract and fertility.Basic and clinical andrology · 2023Review
- Update on acquired hypogonadism in men living with HIV: pathogenesis, clinic, and treatment.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2023Review
- Androgen serum levels in male patients with adrenocortical carcinoma given mitotane therapy: A single center retrospective longitudinal study.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2023Article
- The high burden of erectile dysfunction among men living with HIV in northern Tanzania: a call for evidence-based interventions.Frontiers in urology · 2023Article
- Role of sex hormone-binding globulin in the free hormone hypothesis and the relevance of free testosterone in androgen physiology.Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS · 2022Review
- Article
- Impact of hypogonadism on bone mineral density and vertebral fractures in HIV-infected men.Journal of endocrinological investigation · 2022Article
- Allopregnanolone and neuroHIV: Potential benefits of neuroendocrine modulation in the era of antiretroviral therapy.Journal of neuroendocrinology · 2022Review
- Testosterone in COVID-19: An Adversary Bane or Comrade Boon.Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2021Review
- Sex-Specific Associations of Testosterone and Genetic Factors With Health Span.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeThe prevalence of low testosterone and symptoms of hypogonadism in HIV-infected men is still debated. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and type of hypogonadism in HIV-infected males complaining about sexual symptoms, and to evaluate the role of calculated free testosterone (cFT) vs total testosterone (TT) for diagnosis. Furthermore, we evaluated relationship between sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), gonadal status and clinical and virologic parameters.
methodsWe retrospectively evaluated 169 HIV-infected men with sexual symptoms, with TT available. Among them, we selected 94 patients with TT, SHBG, cFT, and luteinizing hormone (LH) available, and classified hypogonadism into overt (low TT and/or low cFT) and compensated (high LH, normal TT and cFT). Comparison was performed by non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman's correlation was calculated to verify the possible associations.
resultsOvert and compensated hypogonadism were found in 20.2% and 13.8% of patients, respectively. With reliance on TT alone, only 10.6% of patients would have met diagnosis. SHBG values were elevated in one third of patients, and higher in men with compensated hypogonadism. Significant positive correlation was found between SHBG and HIV infection duration, TT and LH.
conclusionOnly a complete hormonal profile can properly diagnose and classify hypogonadism in HIV-infected men complaining about sexual symptoms. TT alone reliance may lead to half of diagnoses missing, while lack of gonadotropin prevents the identification of compensated hypogonadism. This largely comes from high SHBG, which seems to play a central role in the pathogenesis of hypogonadism in this population.
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