Epub: Pakpoor et al. Testicular hypofunction and multiple sclerosis risk: A record-linkage study. Ann Neurol. 2014 Aug 18. doi: 10.1002/ana.24250.
Background: The influence of gonadal hormones on multiple sclerosis is not well characterised and has thus far been investigated primarily in animal models or as a proposed therapeutic approach.
Methods: We investigated a potential association between testicular hypofunction, as a proxy for low testosterone levels, and multiple sclerosis risk through analysis of linked English national Hospital Episode Statistics from 1999 to 2011.
Results: We report a strong positive association between testicular hypofunction and subsequent multiple sclerosis, rate ratio 4.62 (95% confidence interval 2.3-8.24, p<0.0001).
Conclusion: Future work should aim more directly to elucidate the relationship between testosterone levels and MS in both males and females.