The aging males' symptoms in the Italian population : Results from a cross sectional study using the AMS scale

Objectives: To evaluate in the frequency of symptoms associated with the aging male syndrome, using the validated aging male' symptoms (AMS) scale. Methods and results: Men aged 55-85 years were identified by 56 general practitioners (GP) placed in 5 Italian areas among their registered patients during the period May 2005-March 2006, using a computerized generated random numbers list. The GPs were placed in the following areas: Desio, Palmanova/Gorizia in the North of Italy (24 GPs), Parma and Firenze in the Centre (21 GPs) and Napoli in the South of the country (11 GPs). Data were obtained about their general characteristcs and habits. During the interview the men were also asked to fill the AMS scale. Out of the 1927 interviewed men, 1806 men (93.7%) filled correctly the AMS scale. The mean age of the interviewed men was 67 (standard deviation 7.2 range 55-85 years). The symptom most frequently reported as moderate/severe/very severe was: decrease in sexual performance (44.7% of subjects), followed by decreased frequency of morning erection. Among somatic complaints the joint ones were the most frequently reported as moderate/severe/very severe. To be irritable was the most frequent psychological symptoms reported as moderate/severe/very severe. The frequency of all considered symptoms increased with age, but for some somatovegetative and psychological symptoms we observed a plateau in the frequency after age 63-70 years. Considering the total AMS score, a severe impairment was reported by 3.5% of interviewed subjects: the values were 1.3%, 3.3% and 6.2% considering separately men aged < 62, 63-70 and (greater-than or equal to) 71 years. Considering the frequency of moderate impairment the values were for the total population respectively 17.8% for total score, 21.7% for psychological factors, 30.5% for somatovegetative factors and 32.2% for sexual ones. Conclusions: This large cross-sectional study gives a general estimate of the frequency of symptoms related with the aging male and clearly indicates that according to the AMS scale a relevant proportion of the interviewed males report moderate severe complaints potentially related with the aging male syndrome.