Change of aging males' symptoms (AMS) rating scale in Japanese late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) patients administered androgen replacement therapy

Abstract

Background We examined changes in the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) rating scale in Japanese late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) patients during the administration of androgen replacement therapy (ART), and evaluated whether the AMS rating scale is a useful tool for the diagnosis of LOH or the determination of ART efficacy. Methods Eighty-two Japanese LOH patients who had been given ART and who completely answered their AMS rating scale questionnaires were enrolled. The ART consisted of intramuscular injections of 250 mg of testosterone enanthate every three weeks. Subjective effectiveness of ART made sure at three months after administration. The answers to the AMS rating scale were obtained prior to ART, at 3, and 6 months after administration. Results The patients' mean age was 55.8 years. Prior to ART, the total and subscales (psychological, somatic and sexual) AMS scores were 51.0, 13.0, 20.5, and 16.0, respectively. There were no significant correlation between AMS score and age or testosterone levels. At 3 months from administration, all AMS scores had decreased significantly (total: 41.5, psychological: 9.0, somatic: 18.0, sexual: 13.5, p < 0.001), and maintained after 3 months. Statistically significant variations in AMS score during ART were not observed between patients judged effective and ineffective. Conclusions The AMS rating scale improved significantly after the administration of ART in Japanese LOH patients, although the choice of ART method remains limited. The AMS rating scale never predicted the patient's testosterone levels, and it is impossible to judge the subjective efficacy of ART by the changes in AMS score during ART.