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Research describes concussion-related health issues in retired NFL players
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Repeated brain trauma leading to multiple concussions was shown in a recently published study to cause reduced levels of growth hormone, gonadotropin, and testosterone in retired NFL players, and these changes led to other disorders.
"Over 50% of our subjects suffered three or more concussions during their NFL career," Daniel F. Kelly, MD, and colleagues wrote in the study. The players were evaluated for growth hormone deficiency (GHD), hypogonadism and poor quality of life.
The study, which was published in the Journal of Neurotrauma, analyzed 68 retired NFL players, mean age 47.3 years, who had an average of three concussions and a poor quality of life based on the SF-36 mental component scores.
Using body mass index-adjusted definitions, hormonal deficiencies (HD) were observed in 16 (23.5%) players and metabolic syndrome was found in 34 (50%) players. Individuals with HD trended toward a lower SF-36 mental component score than those without HD.
"Although the cause of HD is unclear, these results suggest GHD and hypogonadism may contribute to poor QoL [quality of life], erectile dysfunction and metabolic syndrome in this population," Kelly and colleagues wrote.
Reference:
Kelly D. J Neurotrauma. 2014;doi: 10.1089/neu.2013.3212.