Anti-Aging Eastern Europe · Jun 30, 2026
MEN’S HEALTH IN AUTOIMMUNE RHEUMATIC DISEASES: AGING, IMMUNITY, AND HORMONAL INTERACTIONS
By Sabbah L, Khouri E, Alnaimat F
Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs), such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and ankylosing spondylitis, are chronic inflammatory conditions that demonstrate significant sex differences in prevalence, clinical presentation, disease expression, and long-term outcomes. While these diseases predominantly affect women, men represent an important category that often experience more severe joint damage, higher rates of extra-articular manifestations, and greater comorbidity burden. In aging men, these challenges are further amplified by the physiological decline in testosterone levels (hypogonadism) and the process of inflammaging, which is a state of chronic low-grade inflammation that accompanies aging. This interplay contributes to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, frailty, sarcopenia, and mental health issues, which significantly impact quality of life, physical function, and survival. This review explores the complex interactions between immune dysregulation, androgen decline, and inflammaging in aging men with ARDs, and highlights the need for integrated, personalized, and lifespan-oriented care in this population.