1.The detection of the testosterone deficiency syndrome in aging males with erectile dysfunction
Nansalmaa N ; Oyun-Erdene R ; Namsrai M ; Мunkhtsetseg J
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2012;159(1):22-25
Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is defined as a consistent or recurrent inability to attain and/or maintain penile erection sufficient for sexual performance [1]. According to recent study results, ED occurs more than 50% over 60 year old males, emphasizing a need to diagnose and treat it at an earlier stage. ED may be assessed in several ways. The most widely used standardized questionnaire is the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) with 15 questions, which also exists in a short form with 5 questions [2]. On the other hand, ED is associated with a decreased level of androgens in aging males; the latter is often referred to as a Late Onset Hypogonadism (LOH) or Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TDS). In simple terms, LOH or TDS can be defined as a decreased serum testosterone level in aging males [3, 4]Objective: To detect the testosterone deficiency syndrome in aging males with erectile dysfunction. Materials and Methods. 309 males over 40 years of age who received medical care at the ADAM urological and andrological clinic from 2010 to 2011 were included in this study. An approval of the Ethical Committee of MOH was obtained at the commencement of the study. Each study participant signed a consent form at the beginning of the study. Each participant was assigned to either an ED group or a control group depending on results of the IIEF-5 questionnaire. The ED group was further divided into three groups (moderate, severe and very severe) based on a level of ED. The total testosterone (TT) levels were determined in blood serum, using a competitive ELISA analytical system UBI MAGIWELTM TestosteroneQuantitative test (GLS, USA), with C.V. (%) 6.8 and free testosterone (FT) calculated as described by Vermeulen. Test samples were collected between 8.00-11.00 am. The biochemical diagnosis of TDS was based on the Study Aging Male (ISSAM) guidelines of the International Society, particularly, if TT was _3.46 ng/ml or free testosterone FT was ≤0.072 ng/ml [5].Results: ED of moderate, severe and very severe levels were diagnosed in 199 (64.41%) out of 309 participants. There was an inverse association between an erectile function and age (r=-0.380, p <0.01). The average TT was 5.75±2.316 ng/ml and FT was 0.091±0.0084 ng/ml. Compared to the ED group, the control group had a higher TT level: 5.6440±1.177 ng/ml and 5.812±2.316 ng/ml respectively. In the control group the FT level was 0.061±0.0084 ng/ml whereas it was 0.041±0.0076 ng/ml in the ED group. Conclusion: Our study showed that most of aging males who came to the clinic had a moderate to very severe ED (64.55%). The level of TT (5.644±1.177 ng/ml) and FT (0.041±0.0036 ng/ml) was significantly lower in ED patients (p<0.05). The testosterone deficiency syndrome was detected in 24.27% of the ED group.
2.Acupuncture treatment results for insomnia
Wuyihan ; Enkhtuya V ; Nomin-Erdene U ; Enkhdulguun A ; Nansalmaa M
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;88(4):75-81
Background:
Insomnia is one of the most prevalent neurological disorders in the United States, affecting up to half of pri
mary care patients and often necessitating psycho-behavioral interventions. Acupuncture, a key component of traditional
Chinese and Mongolian medicine, has been increasingly studied as a treatment for insomnia in recent years.
Aim:
Evaluating the effectiveness of acupuncture for insomnia
Materials and Methods:
The study was conducted using a randomized controlled clinical trial design. 148 participants,
aged 18-65 years, with a diagnosis of Nonorganic Insomnia (F51.0) according to the ICD-10, and Pittsburgh Sleep Qual
ity Index (PSQI) >7, were divided into the transverse acupuncture, conventional acupuncture, and the control group. The
results were analyzed using a Cardiopulmonary Coupling - CPC machine before and after treatment in the 3 groups to as
sess 1. Total sleep (hours), 2. Deep sleep (hours), 3. Light sleep (hours), 4. REM (hours), 5. Wake time (minutes), 6. Time
to first fall asleep (minutes), 7. Sleep rate (%), 8. Number of apneas, and sleep quality was assessed using the Insomnia
Severity Index (ISI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaires. The research approval was reviewed and
granted by the Research Ethics Review Committee of the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences on January
19, 2024 (Approval No. 24/19/01).
Results:
The mean age of participants was 51.5±10.8 years, with 79.7% (n=118) being female and 20.3% (n=30) male.
In the transverse acupuncture group, post-treatment results demonstrated a 53.8% increase in total sleep time, a 102.8%
increase in deep sleep time, a 19.8% increase in light sleep time, a 36.1% increase in REM sleep time, and a 22.1% im
provement in sleep normalization rate. The mean differences between pre- and post-treatment scores were statistically
significant based on a one-sample t-test. In contrast, no statistically significant improvements were observed in the control
group, except for sleep quality.
Conclusion
Both transverse acupuncture and conventional acupuncture significantly improved sleep quality indicators
following treatment.
3.Association between lower back pain and some inflammatory biomarkers among heavy machinery operators in open-pit mining
Nansalmaa M ; Enkhdulguun A ; Miyegombo J ; Erdenechamba N ; Erdenechimeg E ; Munkhtsetseg J
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;88(4):165-170
Background:
Musculoskeletal disorders account for 23.1-47.1% of occupational diseases in several countries. Studies
have shown that operators of heavy machinery, including tractors and dump trucks, are twice as likely to experience low
er back pain compared to workers not exposed to whole-body vibration. Furthermore, research has indicated that acute
exposure to vibration can cause vasoconstriction and vascular inflammation. However, limited research has explored the
relationship between lower back pain and specific biomarkers, highlighting the need for this study.
Aim:
This study aimed to compare lower back pain prevalence and muscle inflammation biomarkers among heavy ma
chinery operators.
Materials and Methods:
A purposive sampling method was used to recruit 15 male participants aged 25-35 years who
had worked as heavy machinery drivers for no more than three years. Inclusion criteria were: no alcohol consumption
within 24 hours prior to sampling, body mass index (BMI) between 18.5-28.9 kg/m², no prior diagnosis of musculoskele
tal disorders, and absence of infectious or non-infectious diseases during the study period. Blood samples were analyzed
for Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
(ELISA).
Results:
The mean BMI of participants was 25.89±3.23 kg/m². Over half (53.3%, n=8) exceeded the exposure limit
for whole-body vibration. Low back pain was reported by 13 participants (86.7%) over the past six months and by 12
participants (80%) over the past seven days. TNF-α levels did not differ significantly between groups based on low back
pain status or vibration exposure. However, IL-6 levels showed a significant increase 24 hours after whole-body vibration
exposure (p=0.027).
Conclusion
Lower back pain was highly prevalent among participants exposed to whole-body vibration. Furthermore,
IL-6 levels were elevated among participants reporting lower back pain, regardless of vibration exposure levels.