[A variety of aging symptoms experienced by men from groups of different socio-economic backgrounds]

Abstract

The age-specific decline in secretion of androgens and gonadotrophins in men result in negative changes in their libido, and a variety of psychological and neurovegetative symptoms. The purpose of this paper is to describe a diversity of symptoms accompanying male's ageing in relation to their biological status, socio-economic background and lifestyle behaviours. The study sample consisted of 2509 men whose age ranged between 30 and 97 years, and who voluntarily completed anonymous questionnaire. The educational attainement, marital status, place of residence, financial situation, physical activity and smoking habit were used to assess demographic and socio-economic status of the studied men. A set of symptoms accompanying male's ageing, were classified as somatic (FOSM) and psychological (POSM). Biological status of each man was assessed using index of physiological reserve (WRF) a criterion of biological age. All computations were run using Statistica 7.1 programme package. The level of significance was set at p < or = 0.05. Men who did not experience somatic and psychological symptoms were more likely to be younger (< 50 years) residents of medium cities. Those who had experienced almost all symptoms were more likely to be from the older group (> 50 years) of single men (including bachelors, widowers and divorced). The findings revealed that variation of somatic symptoms accompanying male's ageing (FOSM) was in 24% explained (R2 = 0.24) by the set of variables: index of physiological reserve (WRF), calendar age, place of residence, smoking habit and financial situation. Whereas that of POSM, was in 26% explained by index of physiological reserve (WRF), place of residence, marital status and smoking habit. The concluding statement should be stated that somatic and psychological symptoms accompanying male's ageing are associated with negative age-related physiological changes in the organism along with negative changes in family and professional lives.