Study of the Steroid Hormone Milieu in Obese Patients

The aim of this observational study is to evaluate the actual secretion of cortisol and testosterone in obese male subjects, together with the receptor sensitivity to these hormones in order to understand whether the hormonal milieu deriving from these parameters is associated with alterations in bone metabolism, lipoprotein concentration and function, and/or the severity and complications of obesity. It will be also investigated if this hormonal milieu is a predictive factor for cardiovascular disease in obese patients. Eligible subjects are male patients (age 18-80 years) with severe obesity and no other known causes of hypercortisolism or hypogonadism. Questionnaires for the evaluation of mood and symptoms will be collected upon enrollment, patient's anamnestic and clinical data relating to disease complications, BMI, previous blood tests, cortisol suppression with dexamethasone 1 mg will be collected, and blood sample will be sent to and analyzed at a centralized laboratory for the study of Steroid hormones, bone metabolism, lipoprotein function, genetics and receptor analysis.