Low testosterone levels are associated with carotid atherosclerosis in men.
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between endogenous sex hormone levels and intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery measured by ultrasonography.


METHODS
Population-based cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Sex hormone levels measured by immunoassay, anthropometric measurements and IMT was studied in 1482 men aged 25-84 years participating in the 1994-1995 Tromsø study. The data were analysed with partial correlation, multiple linear regression and logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Linear regression models showed that total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin levels, but not calculated free testosterone, serum oestradiol or dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels were inversely associated with the age-adjusted IMT (P = 0.008 and P < 0.001 respectively). These associations were independent of smoking, physical activity, blood pressure and lipid levels, but were not independent of body mass index (BMI). Excluding men with cardiovascular disease (CVD) did not materially change these results. In a logistic regression model adjusted for the confounding effect of CVD risk factors, men with testosterone levels in the lowest quintile (<9.0 nmol L(-1)) had an independent OR = 1.51 (P = 0.015) of being in the highest IMT quintile.


CONCLUSIONS
We found an inverse association between total testosterone levels and IMT of the carotid artery in men that was present also after excluding men with CVD, but was not independent of BMI. The clinical relevance of this, however, is uncertain and needs to be investigated in a clinical setting.
Svartberg
J
J
Department of Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway. johan.svartberg@unn.no
von Mühlen
D
D
Mathiesen
E
E
Joakimsen
O
O
Bønaa
K H
KH
Stensland-Bugge
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000886:Anthropometry; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography
D013739:Testosterone; D002784:Cholesterol