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. 2008 Sep;93(9):3403-10.
doi: 10.1210/jc.2008-0054. Epub 2008 Jun 17.

Inverse association of testosterone and the metabolic syndrome in men is consistent across race and ethnic groups

Varant Kupelian  1 , Frances J Hayes, Carol L Link, Raymond Rosen, John B McKinlay
Affiliations

Inverse association of testosterone and the metabolic syndrome in men is consistent across race and ethnic groups

Varant Kupelian et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Sep.

Abstract

Context: Low sex hormone levels have been associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Objectives: Our objective was to determine whether the association between sex hormone levels and MetS varies by race/ethnicity among men and to investigate the relationship of sex hormones and individual components of MetS.

Design: We conducted a population-based observational survey.

Participants: A multistage stratified design was used to recruit a random sample of 2301 racially/ethnically diverse men age 30-79 yr. Blood samples were obtained on 1899 men. Analyses were conducted on 1885 men with complete data on total testosterone (T), free T, and SHBG.

Interventions: There were no interventions.

Main outcome measure: MetS was defined using a modification of the Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. The association between MetS and sex hormone levels was assessed using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals estimated using logistic regression models.

Results: A strong inverse association was observed, in both bivariate and multivariate analyses, between hormone levels and MetS. The odds of MetS increased about two-fold with a 1 sd decrease in hormone levels. The association between sex hormones and MetS was statistically significant across racial/ethnic groups. Although the magnitude of this association was largest among White men, racial/ethnic differences were not statistically significant. The strength of the association of sex hormones with individual components of MetS varied; stronger associations were observed with waist circumference and dyslipidemia and more modest associations with diabetes and elevated blood sugar.

Conclusions: A robust, dose-response relationship between sex hormone levels and odds of the metabolic syndrome in men is consistent across racial/ethnic groups.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Adjusted means and 95% CI for sex hormone levels by number of components of MetS. Mean hormone levels were adjusted for race, age, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Association of sex hormones and MetS by racial and ethnic groups. OR and 95% CI are shown per decrease in 1 sd, adjusted for age, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
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