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The influence of gonadal hormones on multiple sclerosis (MS) is not well characterized and has thus far been investigated primarily in animal models or as a proposed therapeutic approach. We investigated a potential association between testicular hypofunction, as a proxy for low testosterone levels, and MS risk through analysis of linked English national Hospital Episode Statistics from 1999 to 2011. We report a strong positive association between testicular hypofunction and subsequent MS (rate ratio = 4.62, 95% confidence interval = 2.3-8.24, p < 0.0001). Future work should aim more directly to elucidate the relationship between testosterone levels and MS in both males and females.

Original publication

DOI

10.1002/ana.24250

Type

Journal article

Journal

Ann Neurol

Publication Date

10/2014

Volume

76

Pages

625 - 628

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Child, Child, Preschool, Cohort Studies, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Middle Aged, Multiple Sclerosis, Testicular Diseases, Young Adult