title: Inverse association between total testosterone concentrations, incident hypertension and blood pressure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies on the relationship between testosterone concentrations and blood pressure have yielded inconsistent results. Therefore, this study investigated the prospective association of total testosterone (TT) concentrations with risk of incident hypertension and blood pressure change in 1,484 men aged 20-79 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania, Germany, were used. Serum TT concentrations, measured by chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassays, were categorised into age-specific quartiles. Generalised Estimating Equation (GEE) models, adjusted for age, waist circumference, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption were specified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During a median follow-up time of 5.0 years, the prevalence of hypertension increased from 50.6% to 57.1%. TT concentrations were significantly lower in men with baseline and incident hypertension. Analyses revealed that men with baseline TT concentrations in the lowest quartile had an increased risk of incident hypertension (odds ratio (OR), 1.19 (95% CI, 1.10-1.28)) compared to men with higher TT concentrations. Furthermore, we found a significant inverse association of TT concentrations and blood pressure, showing that men with baseline TT concentrations in the lowest quartile showed the slightest change in systolic blood pressure (-6.01 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (-2.11 mmHg) and pulse pressure (-3.98 mmHg). Sensitivity analyses in a subpopulation of men without antihypertensive medication confirmed these findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results show that low male TT concentrations are predictive of hypertension, suggesting TT as a potential biomarker of increased cardiovascular risk.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University of Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Torkler
authors.forename: Henri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wallaschofski
authors.forename: Sebastian E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Baumeister
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Völzke
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dörr
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Felix
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rettig
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nauck
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Haring
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D013739:Testosterone / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D055105:Waist Circumference
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone