title: Correlates of low testosterone and symptomatic androgen deficiency in a population-based sample.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: New England Research Institutes, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472, USA. shall@neriscience.com
authors.forename: Susan A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Gretchen R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Esche
authors.forename: Andre B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Araujo
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Travison
authors.forename: Richard V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Rachel E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: McKinlay
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone