title: Gender-specific associations of serum sex hormone-binding globulin with features of metabolic syndrome in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) has been proposed as a biomarker of MetS in children and adults. We aim to determine the associations of SHBG with components of MetS in children from the Middle-East where the prevalence of MetS are on the rise.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, a total of 509 randomly selected school children (226 boys and 283 girls) aged 12-16 years were recruited. Fasting blood glucose and lipid profile were determined using routine laboratory procedures. Serum SHBG is measured with Cobas e411 using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The modified definition of ATP-III (NHANES III) was used for the diagnosis of MetS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 509 children, 23.4 % had metabolic syndrome. Boys had a significantly higher waist circumference and systolic blood pressure (p < 0.032, 0.024, respectively) than girls, while levels of glucose (p < 0.029), and SHBG (p < 0.003) were significantly higher in girls than in boys. In overall population, a significant inverse correlation of SHBG level with age, BMI, systolic blood pressure and triglycerides and a significant direct correlation between SHBG level and HDL-c was exhibited. Children with the lowest tertile of serum SHBG had significantly higher prevalence of MetS (p < 0.05). ROC curve shows SHBG level as more sensitive marker of MetS in boys (AUC = 0.70, p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum SHBG is significantly more sensitive in identifying MetS in boys, not girls, indicating gender dimorphism.
authors.affiliation: Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451 Saudi Arabia ; Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451 Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Nasser M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Al-Daghri
authors.affiliation: Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451 Saudi Arabia ; Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451 Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Nasiruddin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451 Saudi Arabia ; Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451 Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Shaun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabico
authors.affiliation: Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451 Saudi Arabia ; Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451 Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Omar S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Al-Attas
authors.affiliation: Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451 Saudi Arabia ; Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451 Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Majed S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Alokail
authors.affiliation: Division of Metabolic and Vascular Research, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV2 2DX UK.
authors.forename: Sudhesh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
keywords: Arab children; Metabolic syndrome; Sex hormone binding globulin