The risk of premature death in men under age 75 with breast enlargement not related to obesity is 75% higher than in men without the condition. This has been shown by a study published in the journal. BMJ.
Gynecomastia is the growth of breast tissue in men. It is usually caused by hormonal imbalance and affects between 33% and 75% depending on age. Gynecomastia is more common in older ages. There is also pseudogynecomastia, a similar condition caused by overweight or obesity, that was not examined in the new study. Scientists analyzed data from more than 23 thousand men diagnosed with gynecomastia between 1995 and 2021. Each patient’s data were compared with a group of five randomly selected healthy men of the same age.
The analysis found that patients with gynecomastia of a known cause had a 75% higher risk of death compared with healthy men. Idiopathic gynecomastia (i.e. due to an unknown cause) increased the relative risk of death by only 5%. The exception is that the risk is twice as high if the patient has liver disease.
The risk of death was 74% higher if gynecomastia was caused by cancer, and 61% higher if gynecomastia was caused by circulatory problems. The risk of death was two times higher for gynecomastia and lung or genital diseases, and five times higher for gastrointestinal diseases.
Some diseases were particularly dangerous: Liver diseases increased the risk of death by 12 times, and disorders of the gallbladder, its ducts, or the pancreas by 14 times.
Interestingly, the presence of a neurological disease reduced the patient’s risk of death by 29% compared to the healthy group.
Scientists believe the results may be because men with gynecomastia are more likely to be exposed to hormone-disrupting chemicals and take steroids. The findings highlight the importance of seeking medical attention for breast enlargement in men.
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Source: Gazeta
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