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Gender difference and correlation between sexuality, thyroid hormones, cognitive, and physical functions in elderly fit

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Abstract

Purpose

Sexuality in the elderly is related to psycho-physical well-being. Aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between sexual health, thyroid hormones, cognitive functions, and physical fitness in elderly population.

Methods

Fifty-one fit adults were recruited (age: 71.9 ± 5.3 years, 26 females and 25 males). Sexuality was evaluated using the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire-short form (CSFQ-14) and the Sexual Attitude Scale (SAS). Thyroid function was assessed by measuring serum TSH, FT3, and FT4. Cognitive functions and depressive symptoms were evaluated by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) test and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) scores. Subjects’ physical fitness was evaluated using the following tests: Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Handgrip test (HG), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and 2-Minute step test (ST).

Results

CSFQ-14 positively correlated with MMSE (p < 0.05) and negatively with GDS (p < 0.05), while thyroid function was not correlated with sexuality, in both genders. A negative relationship between FT4 vs. weight, FT3 vs. HG and FT3/FT4 ratio vs. ST were found (p = 0.05) in females, while in males, it occurred for TSH vs. TUG (p < 0.05); a positive relationship existed in females between FT4 vs. ST (p < 0.05). Finally, CSFQ-14 was significantly correlated with SPPB (p < 0.05), CST, TUG, and ST (p < 0.01), in both genders.

Conclusion

We demonstrated a strict relationship between active sexuality, preserved cognitive function and appropriate physical fitness in elderly subjects, independently from gender. Our preliminary data suggest that in elderly fit population, peripheral thyroxin deiodination may be a useful predictor of better physical performance and more successful aging.

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Funding

This study was partially funded by MIUR Grants (grant number 2015XCR88M_008 to Prof. Antonio Aversa and FFABR to Dr. Gian Pietro Emerenziani).

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Author notes

    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, “Magna Græcia” University, Catanzaro, Italy

      G. P. Emerenziani, G. Izzo & A. Aversa

    2. Institute of Neurology Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Græcia” University, Catanzaro, Italy

      M. G. Vaccaro

    3. Neuroscience Centre, “Magna Graecia” University, Catanzaro, Italy

      M. G. Vaccaro & A. Quattrone

    4. Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Molecolar Bioimaging and Physiology, National Reserch Council, Catanzaro, Italy

      A. Quattrone

    5. Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University, Rome, Italy

      A. Lenzi

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    1. G. P. Emerenziani
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    2. G. Izzo
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    3. M. G. Vaccaro
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    5. A. Lenzi
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    Correspondence to A. Aversa.

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    The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

    Ethical approval

    All clinical procedures were carried out in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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    All subjects provided a written informed consent approved by the Internal Review Board of Magna Graecia University before entering the study.

    Additional information

    The contribution of these Gian Pietro Emerenziani and Giulia Izzo must be considered equal.

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    Emerenziani, G.P., Izzo, G., Vaccaro, M.G. et al. Gender difference and correlation between sexuality, thyroid hormones, cognitive, and physical functions in elderly fit. J Endocrinol Invest 42, 699–707 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-018-0974-1

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-018-0974-1

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