Correlates of low testosterone and symptomatic androgen deficiency in a population-based sample.
BACKGROUND
Risk factors for low testosterone and symptomatic androgen deficiency (AD) may be modifiable.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to examine demographic, anthropometric, and medical correlates of low testosterone and symptomatic AD.


METHODS
Data were used from the Boston Area Community Health Survey, an epidemiological study conducted from 2002-2005.


METHODS
Data were obtained from a community-based random sample of racially and ethnically diverse men.


METHODS
Data were available for 1822 men.


METHODS
Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations of covariates with 1) low testosterone and 2) symptomatic AD. The operational definition of low testosterone was serum total testosterone less than 300 ng/dl and free testosterone less than 5 ng/dl; symptomatic AD was defined as the additional presence of symptoms: any of low libido, erectile dysfunction, or osteoporosis or two or more of sleep disturbance, depressed mood, lethargy, or diminished physical performance.


RESULTS
Factors associated with low testosterone included age (OR = 1.36; 95% CI= 1.11-1.66, per decade), low per-capita income ($6000 or less per household member vs. more than $30,000; OR = 2.86; 95% CI = 1.39-5.87), and waist circumference (per 10-cm increase; OR = 1.75; 95% CI = 1.45-2.12). Only age (OR = 1.36; 95% CI = 1.04-1.77), waist circumference (OR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.44-2.47), and health status (OR = 0.21; 95% CI = 0.05-0.92, excellent vs. fair/poor) were associated with our construct of symptomatic AD. Of all variables, waist circumference was the most important contributor in both models.


CONCLUSIONS
Waist circumference is a potentially modifiable risk factor for low testosterone and symptomatic AD. Manifestation of symptoms may be a consequence of generally poor health status.
Hall
Susan A
SA
New England Research Institutes, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472, USA. shall@neriscience.com
Esche
Gretchen R
GR
Araujo
Andre B
AB
Travison
Thomas G
TG
Clark
Richard V
RV
Williams
Rachel E
RE
McKinlay
John B
JB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000728:Androgens / Q000172:deficiency*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio
D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone