title: [Low testosterone levels are inversely correlated with carotid artery plaque formation in elderly women].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the relationship between serum testosterone levels and the plaque formation of the carotid artery in a population-based cohort of independently living healthy women above 60 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of the healthy elders from a population-based cohort study in 9 communities of Beijing. Carotid intima-media thickness and atherosclerotic plaques were determined ultrasonographically. Serum testosterone levels were measured by immunoassay. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was an inverse correlation between testosterone and plaque formation in old females (P < 0.01), while no association was found in males. Female with testosterone levels in the lowest quartile (< 0.49 nmol/L) had more risk of plaque formation (OR = 3.805, P < 0.01) after adjusted with age and other traditional factors of atherosclerosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Testosterone concentrations are negatively associated with carotid artery atherosclerosis in old women in Beijing, experimental and prospective studies are needed to determine the possible therapeutic role of testosterone in atherosclerosis.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Qing-Li
authors.initials: QL
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Qiang-Guo
authors.initials: QG
authors.lastname: Ao
authors.forename: Guo-Juan
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Guang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone