title: [Glucose tolerance and plasma testosterone concentrations in men. Results of the Asturias Study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Studies in men have demonstrated a correlation between serum concentrations of androgens and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) with the presence of impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate circulating levels of total testosterone, SHBG, and bioavailable testosterone in the cohort of the Asturias Study and their association with the degree of glucose tolerance and metabolic syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of 282 men aged 36 to 85 years old with normal concentrations of total testosterone. The degree of glucose tolerance and the presence of metabolic syndrome were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum concentrations of testosterone and bioavailable testosterone were negatively correlated with age, body mass index, waist circumference, blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin levels and insulin. Serum concentrations of total testosterone, bioavailable testosterone and SHBG were lower in men with glucose intolerance or diabetes than in those with normal glucose tolerance. After multivariate analysis, age and total testosterone levels were independent predictors of the presence of diabetes or glucose intolerance. The risk of glucose intolerance or diabetes mellitus was over 2.5 times higher in men with total testosterone levels in the lowest quartile than in those with total testosterone in the top quartile.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this general population sample from Asturias, men with lower plasma concentrations of total testosterone--even when within the normal range--have an increased risk of glucose intolerance or diabetes, regardless of age and body mass index.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, España. edelmiro.menendez@sespa.princast.es
authors.forename: Edelmiro
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Menéndez
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valdés
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Botas
authors.forename: Elías
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.forename: Noelia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Abello
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D055105:Waist Circumference
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone