Do statins affect androgen levels in men? Results from the Boston area community health survey.
BACKGROUND
In 2005, statins were among the most commonly used prescription medications in the United States. Some data suggest statins may affect cancer risk and/or disease severity. Because cholesterol is a required intermediate in sex steroid synthesis, it is possible that statins influence prostate cancer risk through effects on steroid hormone metabolism. We investigated whether levels of circulating androgens and their carrier protein, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), varied by statin exposure among a sample of 1,812 men from a population-based epidemiologic study, the Boston Area Community Health Survey.


METHODS
We measured serum total testosterone, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, luteinizing hormone, and SHBG. Statin exposure was collected through participant self-report and/or interviewer-recorded information. Multivariate linear models were constructed to account for potential confounding.


RESULTS
The prevalence of statin use was 12.4% [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 10.3-14.9]. On average, statin users were older, had larger body mass index and more chronic illnesses, and used more medications. We found no relationship between statin use and free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, or luteinizing hormone. A significant association between statin use and total testosterone was initially observed but was not robust to covariate control in a multivariate model that included age, body mass index, time since awakening, and history of cardiovascular disease and diabetes (-5.5%; 95% CI, -13.2 to 2.9%). In multivariate models adjusted similarly, SHBG levels among statin users were statistically significantly lower compared with nonusers (-10.6%; 95% CI, -18.8 to -1.6%).


CONCLUSIONS
In this sample, it is unlikely that statins affect circulating androgens and prostate cancer risk through a hormonal mechanism.
Hall
Susan A
SA
New England Research Institutes, 9 Galen Street, Watertown, MA 02472, USA. shall@nerisicience.com
Page
Stephanie T
ST
Travison
Thomas G
TG
Montgomery
R Bruce
RB
Link
Carol L
CL
McKinlay
John B
JB
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001900:Boston; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019338:Polypharmacy; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
D000728:Androgens; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone