[Gonad function in men with alcoholic liver disease]

Abstract

The connection between alcoholic liver disease and hypogonadism has long been recognized. In this study of 112 males admitted to a medical department, altogether 87 had alcoholic liver disease. Serum testosterone was depressed (less than 12 nmol/l) in 47 out of 51 (92%) patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and in 13 out of 36 (36%) with alcoholic fatty liver (p less than 0.001). Primary hypogonadism was found in 8% of the patients with alcoholic fatty liver and in 16% of the patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and secondary hypogonadism in 28% of the patients with fatty liver and in 76% of those with alcoholic cirrhosis. Serum sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) was increased (greater than 40 nmol/l) in 65% of the patients with fatty liver and in 67% of the patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. Serum testosterone was significantly correlated to liver function tests Normotest (NT), bilirubin and albumin. In conclusion, hypogonadism is very common in men with alcoholic liver disease.