Role of testosterone in fatigue, limited condition and health-related quality of life in men diagnosed with ANCA-associated vasculitis.

ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV) are a group of autoimmune diseases that are characterized by inflammation of the small to medium-sized blood vessels of multiple organs. Until 1970, these diseases were fatal but treatment with corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide increased life-expectancy dramatically and turned these diseases into chronic relapsing disorders. Once in remission, patients frequently report fatigue and limited physical condition. A small study, previously investigated the prevalence of hypogonadism in men with AAV and over 50% fulfilled the criteria for hypogonadism of that study group. The question arising is: are low testosterone levels more prevalent in men with AAV and are these subsequently associated with fatigue, limited physical condition and reduced quality of life in men with AAV? In our study we did not find a relationship between levels of testosterone and fatigue (measured by the MFI-20) and health-related quality of life (measured by the RAND-36). However, we found indications that disease and treatment might influence the gonadal axes. Cumulative corticosteroids dose was associated with the levels of total, free and bioavailable testosterone and CRP was associated with albumin and SHBG. We conclude that levels of testosterone were not associated with fatigue or health-related quality of life in our cohort of patients. However, disease and treatment seem to influence the gonadal axes.